Research on “Border Control Measures to Prevent Human Trafficking”
A young man named “S.J.”, who had dreams of playing football in Europe, found his aspirations crushed after falling into the hands of a human trafficking ring. He was forced to work for them under dire conditions that involved the exploitation of women, and faced various forms of abuse and threats to his life before managing to escape.
After being encouraged by a friend, this individual moved to Dubai to start anew and began working in the private security sector at a company located in an airport.
His company nominated him for a diploma program in “Anti-Human Trafficking Specialist,” initiated by the National Committee to Combat Human Trafficking and the General Directorate of Dubai Police in collaboration with the Dubai Judicial Institute and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. The program aims to prepare a qualified group of professionals to effectively address human trafficking crimes and support their victims.
Despite the trauma he endured, the young man successfully completed the requirements for the diploma and produced a comprehensive research paper on “Border Control Measures to Prevent Human Trafficking,” concluding with five recommendations for combating this crime. These included the “necessity of developing and implementing a comprehensive training program for law enforcement and border control personnel, which should cover indicators of human trafficking, victim rights, and reporting and response protocols for trafficking cases.”
In his research, he also emphasized “the need to establish mechanisms for cooperation and information exchange among various agencies and organizations, including law enforcement, border monitoring entities, and NGOs, as well as launching public awareness campaigns about human trafficking indicators, victim rights, and procedures for reporting trafficking incidents.”
Moreover, he recommended the creation of support and protection systems for trafficking victims, enabling access to medical care, social services, and legal assistance. Effective border control measures should also be developed and implemented, including the use of biometric technology, risk assessment, profiling, and inter-agency collaboration.
A Difficult Experience
The young man reflected on his successful completion of the diploma, saying, “I enrolled in this program after my manager recommended it, urging me to participate to enhance my understanding of human trafficking and its indicators.
I had not previously shared with him the details of my traumatic experience, but I opened up to my classmates during the course, who were shocked by my story and encouraged me to continue and work hard.”
He added, “The diploma provided an opportunity to expand my knowledge about this inhumane crime and to share that knowledge with my colleagues, especially since we’re in the private security sector. This expertise could potentially help save lives by recognizing the signs and symptoms apparent in victims of cross-border trafficking crimes.”
He noted that knowledge and increased awareness are among the most effective preventive tools that can safeguard individuals from exploitation and prevent them from becoming victims of trafficking.
The young man’s story traces back to his talent as a football player in his home country, with aspirations of playing professionally in Europe.
One day, a man approached him, claiming to be a football agent, and promised to help him secure a position with a club in an African country, from where he could then be transferred directly to Europe.
He shared, “I gathered some money and traveled for a long time across the desert to reach that African country, believing I was one step closer to my dream of playing there and then moving on to Europe. However, upon my arrival, I was shocked to find there was no football club; instead, I had fallen into the grasp of a human trafficking gang, and the agent was one of its members.”
Threats to Life
He continued, “They forced me under threat and violence to work for them, involving the exploitation of women, and instructed me to guard them and transport them from one location to another.
I attempted to escape initially, but they captured me again, subjected me to severe beatings, and threatened to kill me if I tried to flee again.”
He revealed that his second escape attempt was successful, aided by the kindness of someone who sympathized with him, allowing him to journey through several countries until he finally reached home safely. A friend residing in the UAE later invited him to seek work there, so he arrived on a visitor visa, secured employment with a private security firm, and transformed his life for the better, achieving mental and emotional stability as well as social security.