Victims of violence and human trafficking in Dubai to receive free legal support

Dubai Foundation for Women and Children teams up with Humaid Darwish Advocates and Legal Consultants to offer lifeline

A closeup shot shows the facade of the Dubai Courts building during a hearing on April 04, 2010 in the case of a British couple sentenced to a month in jail after being convicted of kissing in public in a restaurant in the Muslim Gulf emirate. The couple's lawyer said the appeals court upheld the one-month prison sentence against the two, named by the British press as Ayman Najafi, 24, a British expat, and tourist Charlotte Lewis, 25. The couple were arrested in November 2009, after they were accused of consuming alcohol and kissing in a restaurant in the trendy Jumeirah Beach Residence neighbourhood.     AFP PHOTO/STR / AFP PHOTO
Powered by automated translation

Victims of violence and human trafficking in Dubai are to receive free legal representation in court.

The Dubai Foundation for Women and Children has joined with Humaid Darwish Advocates and Legal Consultants to offer crucial support to some of the most vulnerable members of society.

The Dubai law firm will provide all legal services free of charge to the cases transferred to it from the foundation, including representation in civil and criminal matters.

It will also provide training courses and workshops for the foundation's employees in legal issues related to domestic violence and human trafficking.

"We are always pleased to see the great interest that the private sector in the UAE have to the issues of society in general, and women and children in particular," said Afra Al Basti, director general of the foundation.

"We thank Humaid Darwish's office for their keenness in supporting victims of violence and human trafficking, and we hope to see more fruitful co-operation with them in the future."

Humaid Darwish said his firm was determined to support the foundation.

"We are honoured to have the trust of Dubai Foundation for Women and Children, which is supporting and fostering every vulnerable person in need of social and family care and guidance," Mr Darwish said.

"We always want to help by providing legal assistance and advice and support the foundation in achieving its noble goal to protect women and children from domestic violence, child abuse and human trafficking."

The foundation is the first licenced, non-profit shelter in the UAE for women and children who are victims of domestic violence, child abuse and human trafficking.

It was established in July 2007 to offer vital protection to victims, in line with international standards of care.