Human trafficking cases in Dubai down by 50% in 2011

The number of human trafficking cases recorded in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) declined by nearly 50 percent in 2011, a report of Emirates 24/7 said. Citing figures from the general administration for human rights, the report said Asian girls were the main victims of human trafficking last year. Human trafficking is the illegal trade in human beings for forced labor or commercial sexual exploitation. In 2011, UAE had 16 human trade cases, involving 48 defendants and 32 female victims, the report said. In 2010, 35 cases were recorded, involving 109 defendants and 76 female victims, the report added. According to the Philippine Overseas Employment Agency (POEA), there are around 200,000 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in UAE as of 2010. Forced prostitution According to Emirates 24/7, cases of forced prostitution topped the list of human trafficking cases last year at 17 cases and Asian women were the main victims, standing at 29 against three Africans. The report said some of the victims were teenage girls, including a 15-year-old. All of the victims were sent to the Dubai institution for women and child care. Meanwhile, in a report of Emirat Alyoum, the administration's director, Colonel Mohammed Al Murr, attributed the decline in human trade cases in Dubai last year to "intensified police campaigns against such crimes" and the heightened awareness program. - VVP, GMA News