The UAE is committed to combating human trafficking and has further implemented a comprehensive legal framework in order to prevent, investigate and prosecute trafficking offenses.

1. Human Trafficking in the UAE - What You Need
to Know?
Author: Dr. Hassan Elhais
The UAE is committed to combating human trafficking and has further implemented a comprehensive legal
framework in order to prevent, investigate and prosecute trafficking offenses.
This article aims to discuss the human trafficking laws and the measures taken to combat this crime in the
UAE.
The UAE has enacted Federal Law No.51/2006, On combating Human Trafficking Crimes, in orderto
combat human trafficking in the region.
The law criminalizes all forms of human trafficking and aims to prevent and combat all forms of human
trafficking in the UAE. The law defines Human trafficking under Article 1 bis (1) as:
1. It shall be deemed to commit a human trafficking crime, by any person who: a- sells, offers or
promises to sell or buy persons. b- attracts, employs, recruits, transports, transfers, harbours, hosts,
delivers to receives persons, whether from inside the country or through its national borders, by means
of threat of or use of force or other forms of coercion, of abduction, of fraud, of deception, of the
abuse of power or of a position of vulnerability for the purpose of exploitation c- gives or receives
payments or benefits to achieve the consent of a person having control over another person, for the
purpose of the exploitation of the latter.
2. The following acts shall be considered as “human trafficking”, even if this does not involve the use of
any of the means indicated in the previous paragraph: a- recruitment, transportation, transfer,
harboring or receipt of a child for the purpose of exploitation. b- selling or offering to sell or buy a
child.
3. Exploitation shall include, under the provision of this article, all forms of sexual exploitation or the
exploitation of the prostitution of others, forced labour or services, the removal of organs, slavery,
begging, or practices like slavery or servitude.
Punishments:
The punishments for human trafficking are entailed under article 2, any person who commits a crime
involving human trafficking shall be subject to temporary imprisonment for no less than 5 years and to a fine
of at least AED 100,000.
Life Imprisonment: In the UAE a person who has committed the crime of human trafficking, shall be
sentenced to Life imprisonment in the following cases:
1. If the victim is a child or a disabled person.
2. If the act is committed by use of threat of imminent death or serious injury or by physical or mental

2. torture, or if the criminal is armed.
3. If the perpetrator has established or administered an organized criminal group or is a member of such
group or if he has participated in the acts knowing of its purposes.
4. If the perpetrator is the victim's spouse or any ascendant or descendent of the same, or having
authority there over.
5. If the perpetrator is a public officer or public servant who has abused his position or authority for the
commission of the crime.
6. If the crime is transnational in nature.
7. If the victim is suffering because of the crime, from an incurable disease or a permanent disability.
It must be noted under article 6 (bis) that any person, who publishes, by any means of publication, the names
or photos of victims or witnesses involved in human trafficking crimes, shall be sentenced to imprisonment
and to a fine of at least AED 10,000 or either one of these two penalties.
Cabinet resolution No. 75 of 2020:
The National Committee to Combat Human Trafficking (NCCHT), was established by way of this
resolution, the committee is responsible for developing policies and programs to prevent and combat human
trafficking in the UAE.
Article 3 of the resolution lays out the following responsibilities and functions of the committee.
1. To study and update the legislations governing the issues related to human trafficking in a way
achieving the required protection as per the international requirements.
2. To prepare reports on the measures taken by the State to combat human trafficking in coordination
with the concerned entities at the State.
3. To study the reports related to human trafficking and take necessary action in their regard.
4. To coordinate with the various concerned entities at the State, such as Ministries, Departments,
institutions and authorities concerning combating human trafficking and follow the actions taken in
this regard
5. To raise awareness about human trafficking by organizing conferences, seminars, publications,
training and other in a way achieving the objectives of the Committee.
6. To participate with the concerned entities at the State in the international conferences and forums on
combating human trafficking and transfer the point of view of the State in these international forums.
7. To carry out any works assigned to it in this regard.
The NCCHT developed the 5 P’s approach which stands for prevention of human trafficking, prosecution
and punishment of the traffickers, protection of survivors and promotion of international cooperation. This
approach has been the guiding force in combating human trafficking in the UAE.
The UAE has established shelters and rehabilitation centers to provide assistance and protection to the
victims of human trafficking. These shelters offer a safe haven for victims, where they can receive medical
care and counseling. The victims are also provided with legal aid to pursue justice and compensation.
At present the UAE maintains a network of shelters namely, EWAA shelters which is established in Abu
Dhabi, the Dubai foundation for women and children (DFWAC) and Aman shelter for women and children
located in Ras Al Khaimah, these shelters are equipped with modern facilities, including medical facilities,
educational and training facilities, and recreational facilities. They provide a supportive and wholesome
environment where the victims can heal and rebuild their lives after being rescued from human trafficking.
In addition, the UAE government runs a 24-hour hotline that promotes reporting of human trafficking by the
public.
In conclusion, human trafficking is a serious crime that threatens the safety and dignity of the individuals
and the UAE has made significant efforts to combat this crime by raising awareness and implementing a

3. comprehensive legal framework that prevents, investigates, prosecutes human trafficking offences and
provides protection to the victims.
Related Links
What is The Difference Between a Bribe and Blackmailing?
Learn More on how to file a case for Physical Assault in UAE Courts
What are the victim’s rights for Domestic Violence in the UAE?
Copyright © of this article is retained by the author and/or other copyright owners. We explicitly grant you
permission to download a copy, without any alteration, of this article for personal non-commercial research
or study, without prior permission or any charge. This article can be utilized on your website or for
marketing, however, we grant you permission to host this article on your website and no other rights. This
content should not be altered in any way or sold commercially in any format without prior permission of the
copyright holder. During reference of this article, full biographic details entailing the name of the author,
his designation, the institute and the publishing date of the article shall be provided.
Contact Us
The H Hotel Office Tower, 29th Floor, Office 2904, Sheikh Zayed Road, PO Box 40073, Dubai, United
Arab Emirates
Tel: +971 4 355 8000 | Fax: +971 4 358 9494
Office No. 804, 8th Floor, Tamouh Tower Marina Square, Al Reem Island, PO Box 129980, Abu Dhabi
Tel: +971 2 650 1211 | Fax: +971 4 358 9494
Email us:
hassan@professionallawyer.me