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TECHx
31-07-2025
- TECHx
UAE Launches AI System to Combat Human Trafficking
Home » Latest news » UAE Launches AI System to Combat Human Trafficking The United Arab Emirates has announced the launch of a new Smart National Referral Mechanism System to support victims of human trafficking. The announcement was made by the National Committee to Combat Human Trafficking (NCCHT) on July 30. The date also marked the World Day Against Trafficking in Persons. The NCCHT also revealed the launch of its official website. Both initiatives were introduced during an official ceremony held at the Ministry of Justice headquarters in Abu Dhabi. The event was held under the patronage of Abdullah Sultan bin Awad Al Nuaimi, Minister of Justice and Chairman of the NCCHT. The minister was present at the event along with members of the Committee, representatives of diplomatic missions, and senior officials from the Ministry of Justice. In his keynote address, the minister emphasized that the UAE continues to prioritize the fight against human trafficking. He noted that the UAE's approach is guided by a humanitarian vision and its commitments to international conventions. The UAE became a party to the UN Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons in 2006. The protocol supplements the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organised Crime. Since then, the country has introduced a national anti-trafficking law and developed a strategy to address the issue. During the ceremony, the minister also announced the National Anti-Human Trafficking Action Plan 2025–2027. The plan is based on an integrated strategy that aims to: Eliminate the root causes of human trafficking Pursue and prosecute perpetrators Strengthen protection and rehabilitation services for victims The new Smart National Referral Mechanism System is part of this strategy. It is the first of its kind in the region and uses artificial intelligence to support coordination between entities. According to the Ministry of Justice, the system creates a digital profile for each victim once a case is reported. It automates data entry and routes the case to the relevant authorities for action. This includes sheltering, investigation, and legal procedures. The system also includes: Geolocation tracking to identify the location of victims Real-time data sharing between government entities Complete documentation of all case-handling steps Officials reported that the system connects more than 11 national entities through a unified digital platform. It is also aligned with the UAE Government's Zero Bureaucracy Program. The aim is to streamline protection procedures and accelerate the referral process for victims of human trafficking. The NCCHT noted that the system and the new national plan are part of the UAE's broader effort to combat human trafficking through technology, data, and international cooperation.
Dubai Eye
31-07-2025
- Politics
- Dubai Eye
UAE launches smart system to combat human trafficking
The National Committee to Combat Human Trafficking (NCCHT) has announced the launch of a new smart referral system to combat human trafficking, as well as an action plan that seeks to eliminate the root causes of trafficking. Coinciding with World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, the system coordinates the efforts of relevant agencies and analyzes data to proactively monitor crimes, enhance response efficiency, and speed up procedures. It also creates digital file for each victim from the moment the case is received, and provides the ability to accurately determine the victim's geographic location, and the exchange of information between authorities for rapid response. The Minister of Justice and Chairman of the NCCHT, Abdullah Sultan bin Awad Al Nuaimi, also announced the launch of the National Anti-Human Trafficking Action Plan 2025–2027, which is based on an integrated approach focused on eliminating the root causes of trafficking, pursuing perpetrators, and ensuring that offenders do not escape justice, in line with the best international practices. The strategy prioritises a comprehensive protection system for victims, encompassing care and rehabilitation, and seeks to expand collaboration with regional and international organizations and civil society. The minister emphasised that the UAE places the fight against human trafficking at the forefront of its national priorities, guided by a humanitarian vision and in line with its commitments under relevant international conventions. He noted that the UAE has been proactive in this field since 2006, when it joined the UN Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, supplementing the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organised Crime.
TAG 91.1
31-07-2025
- Politics
- TAG 91.1
UAE launches smart system to combat human trafficking
The National Committee to Combat Human Trafficking (NCCHT) has announced the launch of a new smart referral system to combat human trafficking, as well as an action plan that seeks to eliminate the root causes of trafficking. Coinciding with World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, the system coordinates the efforts of relevant agencies and analyzes data to proactively monitor crimes, enhance response efficiency, and speed up procedures. It also creates digital file for each victim from the moment the case is received, and provides the ability to accurately determine the victim's geographic location, and the exchange of information between authorities for rapid response. The Minister of Justice and Chairman of the NCCHT, Abdullah Sultan bin Awad Al Nuaimi, also announced the launch of the National Anti-Human Trafficking Action Plan 2025–2027, which is based on an integrated approach focused on eliminating the root causes of trafficking, pursuing perpetrators, and ensuring that offenders do not escape justice, in line with the best international practices. The strategy prioritises a comprehensive protection system for victims, encompassing care and rehabilitation, and seeks to expand collaboration with regional and international organizations and civil society. The minister emphasised that the UAE places the fight against human trafficking at the forefront of its national priorities, guided by a humanitarian vision and in line with its commitments under relevant international conventions. He noted that the UAE has been proactive in this field since 2006, when it joined the UN Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, supplementing the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organised Crime.
Yemen Online
30-07-2025
- Politics
- Yemen Online
UAE : National Committee to Combat Human Trafficking launches Smart Referral System
The National Committee for Combatting Human Trafficking (NCCHT) has announced the launch of its new official website, along with the inauguration of a Smart Referral System (SRS) for victims of human trafficking. This initiative coincides with the World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, observed annually on July 30, and represents a pioneering step that reflects the UAE's steadfast commitment to fighting trafficking crimes. The announcement was made during an official ceremony held at the Ministry of Justice headquarters in Abu Dhabi, under the patronage and in the presence of Abdullah bin Sultan bin Awad Al Nuaimi, Minister of Justice and Chairman of the NCCHT. The event was attended by members of the National Committee, representatives of diplomatic missions, and several leaders from the Ministry of Justice. Addressing the event, the Minister of Justice emphasised that combating human trafficking is a top priority for the UAE, stemming from its humanitarian vision and commitment to relevant international agreements. He noted that the UAE has been a pioneer in this field since 2006, when it joined the Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, especially Women and Children, supplementing the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organised Crime. The country also enacted national legislation to combat human trafficking and developed a comprehensive strategy to counter this crime. The Minister announced the launch of the National Anti-Human Trafficking Plan 2025-2027, which is based on an integrated approach focused on drying up the sources of crime, prosecuting perpetrators, and ensuring they are not immune from punishment, in line with the best international standards. The plan, he added, also emphasises a holistic protection system for victims, including care and rehabilitation, and expands cooperation with regional and international organizations and civil society. As part of the focus on victim protection, the Minister also announced the launch of the Smart Referral System (SRS) for combating human trafficking-the first of its kind in the region-powered by artificial intelligence technologies. This system is designed to coordinate the efforts of relevant entities and analyse data to detect crimes proactively, enhancing the efficiency and speed of response. It allows the creation of a digital case file for each victim from the moment they are identified, with automated data entry and guidance for concerned entities on necessary procedures-whether related to shelter, investigation, or prosecution. The system also enables precise geographic location tracking of the victim and facilitates information sharing among relevant parties, ensuring immediate coordination and comprehensive documentation of all stages of case handling. The launch of the national referral system aligns with the objectives of the "Zero Bureaucracy" Programme, initiated by the UAE government via a unified digital platform encompassing over 11 entities. This contributes to streamlining victim protection procedures and expediting referrals.
News18
25-05-2025
- Politics
- News18
Defeating Seamless Integration Of Terror & Drugs In Democracies
Last Updated: India needs a model for counter-terrorism adjudication, taking into account the terror problem in all its facets, including narco-terrorism and money laundering Terrorism is senseless violence in which civilians are often the target, like the recent Pahalgam incident in Kashmir. Militant groups that engage in transnational terrorism employ disparate terrorist tactics for several disruptive motives. Their transnational terrorist operations are underpinned by a strategic need to influence intended audiences abroad in achieving their process and outcome goals. Depending on the militant groups' short- and long-term objectives, the type of attack indicates the type of terrorist strategy they will employ. At its core, terrorism is a senseless, violent discourse, aimed at influencing the policies and support of an intended audience beyond the immediate victims. These targeted third-party audiences can include governments (domestic or foreign), opposition political parties, the passive public, and the supporting global religious constituency of the militant group. The major international agreements are: • 1988 UN Drug Convention – United Nations Convention against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (1988) • UN Single Drug Convention – United Nations Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs (1961 as amended by the 1972 Protocol) • UN Psychotropic Substances Convention – United Nations Convention on Psychotropic Substances (1971) • Migrant Smuggling Protocol – Protocol against the Smuggling of Migrants by Land, Air and Sea, supplementing the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organised Crime • Firearms Protocol – Protocol against the Illicit Manufacturing of and Trafficking in Firearms, Their Parts and Components and Ammunition, supplementing the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organised Crime. Significantly, both India and Pakistan are signatories to all these international agreements. In addition, a significant recent initiative is the Global Coalition to Address Synthetic Drug Threats, an international partnership which the United States launched in mid-2023. In September 2024, the United States hosted a Leaders' Summit at the UN General Assembly to mark the first year of the Global Coalition, which now has 164 participating member states and 15 international organisation partners working to disrupt the supply chain for synthetic drugs and detect emerging drug threats. The United States also spurred new global action against the synthetic drug crisis at the High-Level Segment of the UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND) in March 2024, which marked the first time a US Secretary of State attended a meeting of the UN's drug policymaking body. Also, the US Department of State, Bureau of Counterterrorism identifies State Sponsors of Terrorism. Countries determined by the Secretary of State to have repeatedly provided support for acts of international terrorism are designated pursuant to three laws: section 1754(c) of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019, section 40 of the Arms Export Control Act, and section 620A of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961. Taken together, the four main categories of sanctions resulting from designation under these authorities include restrictions on US foreign assistance; a ban on defence exports and sales; certain controls over exports of dual-use items; and miscellaneous financial and other restrictions. Currently, there are four countries designated under these authorities: Cuba, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea), Iran, and Syria. Is it not surprising that the name of Pakistan, which is a global hub of narcotics, is significantly missing? The value and utility of all the above agreements, dialogues and pronouncements, are all highly debatable. Western strategic interests are only articulated and protected in these deliberations, but Asian and African countries always get a raw deal. Union Home Minister Amit Shah on February 5 said that the narcotics network is providing support to infiltrators and terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir. He said that there was a need to initiate prompt action with alacrity and rigour against terror funding from the proceeds of the narcotics trade. As J&K continues to grapple with the menace of drug abuse, authorities have revealed that an alarming 1,978 drug-related cases have been registered in 2024-25 alone and over 2,800 persons have been held in connection with them. This is part of a larger crackdown on drug traffickers and suppliers aimed at dismantling the nexus. Notably, drug abuse has picked up in J&K over the last few years. About 14.09 lakh persons in J&K are affected by substance abuse, including addiction to alcohol, cannabis, opioids and inhalants. Around 1,514 cases were registered in 2024, and 2,260 arrests and 274 detentions were made under the NDPS Act. But the ground reality in narcotics enforcement in J&K is disturbing. In February 2025, the Jammu, Kashmir & Ladakh High Court upheld the trial court's acquittal in a case involving the possession of contraband in commercial quantity. The court emphasised that non-compliance with mandatory provisions—such as proper sampling, immediate reporting, and informing the accused of the grounds for arrest—makes the prosecution's case defective. It criticised the lack of diligence in investigations under the NDPS Act, noting: 'Every day, we hear reports of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances being seized, particularly from the youth. However, it is alarming that many genuine cases under the NDPS Act result in acquittals due to casual, unfair, and flawed investigations." The bench further stressed that 'cases under the NDPS Act are frequently handled by incompetent officers, leading to breaches that weaken prosecution arguments, undermine justice, and erode public confidence in the legal system". This is just one of the many cases in which charges against drug dealers have fallen in court. In the last six years, more than 13,186 persons have been arrested under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. Yet, the official data shows only four convictions have been secured, an abysmally low rate of just 0.03 per cent. Yet, the situation has barely changed, with legal experts and officials arguing the problems run deeper. They point out the law is stringent against drug trafficking, but the burden of proof is higher, requiring highly professional investigations. 'This law is laced with technicalities, and a single contradiction in the statement of witnesses erodes the credibility in the eyes of the law." The above problem, pointed out by the court, stems from inadequate training of investigators. Also, the government needs to bring in different legislation to handle cross-border narco-terror cases. The situations in Punjab and Kashmir are very alarming. In May 2025, the Punjab Police, in Tarn Taran, made a major recovery of 85 kg of heroin near the border village of Gharinda. This is the biggest heroin seizure of 2025 so far, smuggled from Pakistan. Similarly, in May 2025, the Border Security Force (BSF) officials seized heroin valued at Rs 5 crore after intercepting a drone from Pakistan near the international border in Rajasthan's Sri Ganganagar. The consignment, believed to have been sent from Pakistan, was found near the barbed-wire fencing along the international border. On April 2, a crashed drone was found in a field near Chak 11F, Sheikhsarpal Border Post, Karanpur. It contained 500 gm of heroin. On March 20, three kilograms of heroin were recovered near the Rawala area (village 12 KND) by BSF personnel after a drone drop. On May 18, 2025, the BSF successfully crossed a significant landmark of recovering the 100th Pakistani drone, including 111 kg of heroin, 60 weapons, 14 hand grenades and more than 10 kg of high explosives from entering Indian territory. In 2024, the BSF recovered 294 such drones along the Indo-Pak border. Investigations conducted over the past four years have indicated that Pakistan-based terror groups were involved in sending drugs and weapons using drones at different locations along the border in Punjab. No other country in the world is facing such a grave narco-terror problem as India. An array of terror organisations, sporting Arabic names, operates near the India-Pakistan border, with global ambitions and a willingness to export terror and war from their base of operations. Though the recent Operation Sindoor delivered a strong punch, terror forces have not been completely obliterated. They will regroup quickly with continued support from Pakistan, to keep alive the spectre of narco-terrorism, in Kashmir and Punjab. So, it is not sufficient to be on the front lines of combating drug smuggling and making waves with seizures. Combating narco-terrorism in the border states of Rajasthan, Punjab and Jammu & Kashmir needs a new law and a different set of yardsticks. The role of the judiciary in the challenge of fighting terrorism needs complete reconsideration and revision. Can and should the courts decide the proper way to fight terrorism? Will constant judicial interference burden the fight against terrorism? Which law is applicable to counter-terrorist activities and narco-terrorism? Is it the law of war or is it the routine criminal law that needs application? What is the plausible balance between human rights and public safety in this era of terrorism? What India sorely needs is a model for counter-terrorism adjudication, taking into account the terror problem in all its facets, including narco-terrorism and money laundering within the legal context. A possible model is the jurisprudence of the Israeli Supreme Court, developed in recent years. The Supreme Court of Israel has dealt many times with questions regarding the role of the Court in the era of terrorism. Counter-terrorism has become a part of daily reality in Israel, very much like in Kashmir. The approach of the Israeli judiciary is unique in comparison with the judges and courts in other democracies. The different forms of counter-terrorism measures reviewed by the Israeli Supreme Court cover preventive measures such as detention and arrest, assigned residence of inhabitants, house demolitions, and the 'separation fence"; interrogation methods; the course of actual combatant activity; provisions for civil liability of the armed forces; and electoral laws banning candidates who support terror activities. For example, in many cases, following a terrorist attack, the IDF demolishes the house of the terrorist. It does this mainly to deter terrorists. This measure is administrative rather than part of any criminal procedure, and is considered severe because it often results in the loss of housing for an entire family, even though the family may not be involved in the terrorist activity. As a matter of practice, the IDF has also used this tactic in cases where the terrorist died or escaped from the country. In numerous cases, petitioners requested the Israeli Court to cancel these demolition orders. Upon review, the Court ruled that this counter-terrorism method can be used to deter terrorists, but not to punish them, and that no international or domestic law renders the practice illegal. The fact that other people, namely the families of the terrorists, were affected by this action was not found to make the action itself illegal under international law. A few states in India have adopted a similar procedure, which goes by the name of 'bulldozer justice". But the Supreme Court promptly intervened and termed it a 'lawless, ruthless state of affairs", and issued pan-India guidelines. The common man who is facing the brunt of terrorism and narco-terrorism is facing a conundrum, are laws and their interpretations tilted in favour of the terrorists? It is because of the soft approach of the US judiciary that the American government was compelled to establish the detention facility at Guantanamo Bay in 2002 to house individuals designated as 'enemy combatants" and suspected terrorists following the September 11 attacks. This facility, located within the US Naval Station at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, was intended to hold those captured in the 'war on terror," particularly in Afghanistan and Iraq. The primary reason for its creation was to detain individuals outside the legal framework of the US. India, which is facing aggravated terrorism, needs to think of setting up a similar Guantanamo facility, to circumvent judicial barriers. top videos View all Cicero's aphorism that laws are silent during war should be made valid for all terror cases. The writer is Former Director General, Multi-Disciplinary School of Economic Intelligence, and National Academy of Customs, Indirect Taxes & Narcotics. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18's views. Location : New Delhi, India, India First Published: May 25, 2025, 19:13 IST News opinion Opinion | Defeating Seamless Integration Of Terror & Drugs In Democracies
