PHL, UAE sign anti-human trafficking agreement

LOOK: @DFAPHL at United Arab Emirates (UAE), lumagda sa isang memorandum of understanding laban sa human trafficking. (????: DFA) | via Mao dela Cruz pic.twitter.com/rplWSsyUJb

— DZBB Super Radyo (@dzbb) September 29, 2019

The Philippines and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) signed a memorandum of understanding on human trafficking and the protection of women and children, the Department of Foreign Affairs announced on Friday.

DFA Secretary Teodoro L. Locsin Jr. and UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan signed the MOU at the sidelines of the 74th United Nations General Assembly in New York, Thursday.

Under the MOU, the two countries would implement procedures, share best practices, exchange information, and promote human rights to counter human trafficking.

They would also provide assistance in the protection, rescue, repatriation, recovery, and rehabilitation of trafficking victims in accordance with domestic laws.

The MOU also strengthened the bilateral relations and cooperation between the Philippines and the UAE, even as both countries ratified the UN Convention against Transnational Organized Crime (UNTOC) and the Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children (Palermo Protocol).

“The Philippines as a country of origin has been in the forefront of the fight against human trafficking. By forging international cooperation and arrangements, the Philippines hopes to intensify the government's efforts to help prevent and stamp out this global problem,” DFA said. — Joviland Rita/DVM, GMA News