Business & Money | Monday 11 November, 2019 4:41 am |

Dubai Judicial Institute (DJI), in cooperation with Dubai Police, the National Committee to Combat Human Trafficking Crimes, and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), is organising the fifth ‘Specialist in Combating Human Trafficking’ programme for the year 2019/2020. The current edition has 38 students, including three Saudi Arabian and two Bahrainis for the first time.

The new edition was launched in the presence of HE Justice Dr Jamal Al Sumaiti, Director General of DJI; Major General Dr Abdul Quddus Abdul Razzaq Al Obaidly, Assistant Commander-in-Chief for Quality and Excellence at Dubai Police; Colonel Dr Sultan Al Jamal, Director of the Human Trafficking Control Department at Dubai Police; and Dr Boris Znamenski, UNODC representative for the GCC.

During his speech, Al Sumaiti said: “We are pleased to be here today at the inauguration of the fifth ‘Specialist in Combating Human Trafficking’ programme, which is considered the first-of-its-kind globally. Such educational and academic achievements help us highlight the UAE’s efforts in addressing transnational human trafficking issues, especially since it has consistently developed since its launch in 2015. We are proud that this edition is being organised with formal accreditation by the UNODC.”

Al Sumaiti added: “We can proudly say that over the course of its previous editions, the programme achieved its objectives, most prominent of which is graduating 110 specialists who supported government institutions in the UAE to help them effectively deal with cases of human trafficking crimes in the country.”

The programme contributes to the UAE’s efforts to implement the National Strategy to Combat Human Trafficking (2016 – 2021) and sheds light on the government's directives aimed at improving the level of government work to be based on a deliberate approach. Thanks to ongoing preparation and development, the programme is on par with the best systems in the world and supports Dubai Plan 2021 for the creation of a safer society.

In addition to its focus on preparing qualified national cadres working in all departments and institutions concerned with combating human trafficking crimes in the UAE, DJI continues to strengthen cooperation between national authorities through the programme to provide judicial training in accordance with the best levels of quality, qualifying them with the necessary scientific and practical expertise. DJI also aims to raise awareness of human trafficking, its seriousness, ways to report it, and the penalties prescribed by law.

Al Obaidly commented: “This training programme is accredited by the UNODC and aims to prepare qualified  specialists in all related entities. Human trafficking is a transnational crime, where human rights are violated and the dignity of the victims is compromised. It can only be addressed with the help of society as a whole, and we at the Dubai Police General Headquarters, in cooperation with our partners, the national committee against human trafficking, the Dubai Judicial Institute, and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, have realised many achievements and goals, enabling us to decisively counter human trafficking, with an emphasis on modernising qualification and training methods. Training is the cornerstone of any profession and is the tool by which development is achieved. If we invest in it adequately and employ it in an optimal manner, the desired goals will be achieved. We launched this programme five years ago, and this year, we celebrate the participation and collaboration of our GCC brotherly countries.”

A total of 110 specialists graduated from the previous four editions, each of which enjoying a high achievement rate, benefiting many participating entities keen on providing their human resources with specialised cadres in this field.

The programme focuses on three objectives: developing and equipping trainees with research and investigative skills, the best ways and means to investigate human trafficking crimes, and to care for victims of human trafficking. It also provides them with scientific information in alignment with the laws and the necessary skills to deal with victims of human trafficking crimes. The third objective is to provide them with the best local, regional, and international experiences and practices in combating human trafficking crimes.

The target groups include all those working in security agencies, government institutions involved in combating human trafficking crimes, and civil and private institutions dealing with victims of human trafficking crimes. Trainees must be able to classify human trafficking and its causes and pillars, understand the elements and indicators of the crime and its effects, differentiate between human trafficking and other similar crimes, and identify elements of human trafficking.

In addition to DJI, there are three local and international entities involved in the implementation of the programme, namely the National Committee to Combat Human Trafficking Crimes, Dubai Police, and the UNODC. It is also professionally accredited by the Knowledge and Human Development Authority in Dubai.