U.S. Department of State 2001 Trafficking in Persons Report - United Arab Emirates
| Publisher | United States Department of State |
| Author | Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons |
| Publication Date | 12 July 2001 |
| Cite as | United States Department of State, U.S. Department of State 2001 Trafficking in Persons Report - United Arab Emirates, 12 July 2001, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/4680d7872c.html [accessed 6 June 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
United Arab Emirates (Tier 3)
United Arab Emirates (UAE) is a destination country for trafficked persons. Boys are trafficked from Pakistan and Bangladesh for use as camel jockeys in UAE's camel racing industry. Women are trafficked from the New Independent States, Africa, Iran, and Eastern Europe for sexual exploitation. Men and women from South and East Asia travel to UAE to work as domestics and have reported being forced into indentured or domestic servitude or sexual exploitation.
The Government of United Arab Emirates does not meet the minimum standards and has not yet made significant efforts to combat trafficking in persons. There is no law specifically prohibiting trafficking in persons; however, traffickers can be punished under laws prohibiting child smuggling and prostitution. Forced or compulsory labor is illegal, and labor regulations prohibit the employment of persons under 15 years of age. The Government has arrested, detained, and deported those involved in child smuggling and prostitution. The Government prohibited the use of children under the age of 15 as camel jockeys in 1993, but the Camel Racing Association, not the Government, is responsible for enforcing these rules. The authorities have prosecuted foreign child smugglers, but do not investigate citizens involved in smuggling. The authorities, working together with foreign governments and NGO's, have provided shelter for and assistance with the repatriation of underage camel jockeys. Victims of trafficking may seek shelter in their embassies; the Government of UAE does not provide assistance to victims. Women arrested as prostitutes are detained, deported, and blacklisted from reentering the country. The Government restricts granting visas to UAE to single women who are 40 years of age and younger.
