A/HRC/14/43/Add.3
statelessness among children, by, for example, encouraging their parents to apply for
citizenship on their behalf and allowing both parents to transmit their citizenship to their
children”,17 the Special Rapporteur would like to recommend that the Government consider
amending the legislation, so that Emirati women are able to pass their nationality to their
children. He also recommends that the Government review its practice with regard to the
implementation of the Federal Law No. 17 of 1972 concerning nationality and passports, so
as to prevent that children born to Emirati women and stateless men become stateless and
thereby subject to discrimination. Moreover, he calls upon the United Arab Emirates to
withdraw its reservations to the Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination against
Women and to the Convention on the Rights of the Child.
D.
Human trafficking
55.
Another issue of concern raised during the Special Rapporteur’s mission relates to
human trafficking. The victims of human trafficking into the United Arab Emirates come
from foreign countries, mainly from Asia, Eastern Europe and Africa. This problem
therefore presents an international challenge and the Special Rapporteur would like to
highlight the complex nexus between gender and ethnic origin. All the Special Rapporteur’s
interlocutors were in agreement that the victims of human trafficking, who are women and
girls in virtually all cases, suffer grave human rights violations and are among the most
vulnerable individuals in this society.
56.
In this respect, the Special Rapporteur was impressed by the initiatives taken by the
Government to address this issue and to rehabilitate women and girls who have been
trafficked into the country. The Federal Law No. 51 of 2006 on combating human
trafficking crimes, which provides the legal basis to the National Committee on Human
Trafficking, is a welcome step to combat this phenomenon. Likewise, the setting up of
shelters both by the Government and other individuals or organizations for women and
children victims of human trafficking and sexual exploitation is extremely helpful to
provide them with suitable accommodation, social, legal, psychological, medical,
educational and vocational support.
57.
While significant efforts have been undertaken since 2006 to counter human
trafficking, the Special Rapporteur is of the view that much remains to be done in order to
bring to justice those responsible for such criminal activities. Moreover, he would like to
emphasize that a clear distinction ought to be made between women who engage
voluntarily in prostitution — which is prohibited by law in the United Arab Emirates —
and those who are trafficked into the country, so that the latter may not be treated as
criminals, but rather as victims, when caught by law enforcement officials. Consequently,
the Special Rapporteur would like to encourage the Government to continue treating human
trafficking as a matter of priority and keep in constant review the legal and administrative
measures necessary to eradicate this scourge.
E.
Education
58.
Education is undoubtedly one of the most efficient tools to create a cohesive and
tolerant society, where all children may be taught, and experience for themselves, how
diverse ethnic, national or religious groups can coexist in a peaceful manner. As such, the
public school system should reflect and promote the social and cultural diversity existing in
17
16
See Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination’s general recommendation No. 30 (2004)
on discrimination against non-citizens.
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