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Human trafficking: Dubai’s worst nightmare

September 14th, 2007Esra'a (Bahrain)

Human trafficking remains to be one of our biggest crimes in the Gulf, with little to no awareness campaigns or activism revolving around it. Recently PBS Frontline share with us an extremely alarming video which really puts a human face to this major crime. I urge everyone to watch it in order to see the severity of this issue, which is increasing on a daily basis.

Here is an abstract of the related article:

Dubai: Night Secrets
The oldest profession in the newest playground

Four years ago, I began a photo project on the sex trafficking of young women in Eastern Europe. I interviewed and photographed girls who had escaped. Some had been trafficked to Turkey and Russia. Others were taken as far as the United Arab Emirates, lured by the promise of legitimate jobs and a brighter future. Once they arrived in the new country, they were priced and sold, and their documents taken away. The young women told me they were forced to service mechanics, soldiers, priests, butchers, tourists, and even U.N. personnel who were supposed to protect them.

Major kudos to Mimi Chakarova for doing this.

This is possibly one of the hardest crimes to tackle due to the fact that it’s a highly secretive operation. Pimps are diverse and are located worldwide. Clients include people from all kinds of professions and social class. There is no target, it seems that there is no effective strategy other than awareness, nothing. The least we can do is spread the word so I hope that whoever is reading this is interested enough to do so.

For more information and relevant content, check out Sexual Terrorism.

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11 Responses to “Human trafficking: Dubai’s worst nightmare”

  1. #1 Tushar - September 14th, 2007 at 6:29 am

    Hello,

    Was moved by your blog entry. Please extend your reach by adding a link to this post in the UN Global Initiative to Fight Human Trafficking South Asia website forum.

    The forum is at:

    http://giftasia.in/index.php?option=com_mamboboard&Itemid=258

    You can also contribute content on the site. We will link back to you.

    Best regards

    Tushar

  2. #2 TeacherLady - September 14th, 2007 at 6:42 am

    Public sympathy would help women in such situations if they were to approach the police with their stories in certain countries, but sadly they have no one to go to in the UAE because approaching the police would most likely just get her fined/arrested/deported. It breaks my heart. If this issue truly troubles you, you should check out http://www.womenforwomen.org because you can donate to help women avoid circumstances such as these. Right now, another organization doubles your donation, so it would be a great time to give.

  3. #3 Esra'a - September 14th, 2007 at 7:44 am

    Thanks a lot for the link Tushar. I am happy to see that the government of India is an actual sponsor of this; we definitely need more direct involvement from our leaders.

    TeacherLady thanks for making us aware of the website, but if we donate where exactly would the money go? I think what should be done is more documentaries revolving around this issue, or actually this “crisis.” Our main problem is 1) ignorance and 2) silence. Also, far too many people couldn’t care less that this is happening under their noses, and not many actually know about it. Mimi’s approach is a very inspirational one, it wakes people up. And if we all make the slightest effort to wake enough people up, I think a lot can be done about this.

  4. #4 Murad - September 14th, 2007 at 7:52 am

    Wow, that slideshow has me speechless. :(

  5. #5 Esra'a - September 14th, 2007 at 7:58 am

    If you’re interested Murad here’s some of what’s going on in Kuwait.

    And from another article:

    Kuwait is a destination country for men, women, and children trafficked primarily from Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Pakistan, the Philippines, and Sri Lanka for the purpose of labor exploitation. Some foreign women who migrate legally to Kuwait as domestic workers are subsequently abused by their employers or coerced into situations of debt bondage or involuntary servitude. Some domestic workers are trafficked within the country for sexual and labor exploitation. Some underage boys from South Asia, the Sudan, Yemen, and Eritrea are trafficked from neighboring Gulf States to work as camel jockeys. Victims suffer debt bondage, involuntary sexual servitude, coerced labor, verbal and physical abuse, and the withholding of their passports or other required travel documents.

    The Government of Kuwait does not comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking and is not making significant efforts to do so.

    And here’s what a Kuwaiti blogger has to say about it.

  6. #6 Tushar - September 14th, 2007 at 9:23 am

    Esra, I am amazed at the reach and interaction of your blog. You mentioned: ‘Kuwait is a destination country for men, women, and children trafficked primarily from Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Pakistan, the Philippines, and Sri Lanka for the purpose of labor exploitation.’

    Any way we can link up organisations working in Anti Human Trafficking within these regions?

    You could suggest some approaches and I will put it to the GIFT South Asia team.

    May I also request you to share your knowledge as contributed content on the http://www.giftasia.in site.

    Maybe we can start a new thread on the discussion forum on how to cope with cross border trafficking.

  7. #7 Esra'a - September 14th, 2007 at 9:45 am

    Hi Tushar, there are several organizations targeting this but not very successfully. I will for sure do a follow-up post to this entry with better resources and I’ll definitely include the links you have provided as well. Feel free to use anything we share here on the giftasia.in site.

    I will post some things now on the “Innovative strategies” forum.

  8. #8 Salama - September 14th, 2007 at 10:05 am

    I am blown away by Mimi’s presentation. She did a very good job of making us relate to these young victims.

  9. #9 sillybahrainigirl - September 17th, 2007 at 6:56 am

    Thanks Esra’a for another eye opener to some of the atrocities which go uncovered in the region.

  10. #10 Bahrain » Blog Archives » Bahrain: Job Hunting - September 23rd, 2007 at 11:48 am

    [...] Human trafficking: Dubai’s worst nightmareHuman trafficking remains to be one of our biggest crimes in the Gulf, with little to no awareness campaigns or activism revolving around it. Recently PBS Frontline share with us an extremely alarming video which really puts a human … [...]

  11. #11 BMAN - November 10th, 2007 at 2:19 am

    NBI PHILIPPINES

    NBI PHILIPPINES – http://nbi.gov.ph/ BMAN – reviewed human trafficking ring in the philippines A.K.A Deng Hao – known as Virginia Burdeos Nazareno in real life located at 9127 sultana st, cor. honrades makati city as we investigated and ask some people around, the are confirmed she still operate, profiting prostitution ring in the philippines. Owner of white, 4 storey building from the sweat of inslave sex worker in her perimeter of activity. Main Business Laundering money from illegal sex trade. philippine law fugitive most wanted human trafficker.

    LEO (wobble boy..!) – maybe she also have multiple bank account to clear from government financial claim but any sherriff’s couldn’t avoid it.

    BMAN – not to mention all websites for profit, this is her most effective way of manipulation.!!!

    GINA – Let the law prosecute this head of human trafficking syndicate in the philippines, she is tought girl when i try to call her, she never even mind to care, about my calls.

    LEO (wobble boy..!) – Yah! you’re right gina… There are lot of this kind of activity on this days but this should not be tolerated while the goverment is after her.

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