UAE and Qatar Launch New Systems to Combat Human Trafficking

The United Arab Emirates and Qatar both introduced new national frameworks to combat human trafficking on July 30, 2026, in observance of World Day Against Trafficking in Persons. Each nation focused on streamlining the identification, protection, and prosecution of traffickers through coordinated government and civil society efforts.

In the UAE, Minister of Justice Abdullah Sultan bin Awad Al Nuaimi announced a strategy centered on prevention and international cooperation. The UAE expanded its National Committee to Combat Human Trafficking to include 23 entities and launched the Smart Referral System (SRS). This AI-driven digital platform is designed to monitor criminal patterns and coordinate victim care. The government also updated its legislative framework via Federal Decree-Law No. (24) of 2023 and established specialized judicial circuits to accelerate case resolutions.

Simultaneously, Qatar's Ministry of Labour launched the National Referral System. Developed by Qatar's National Committee for Combating Human Trafficking, this framework establishes formal rules for reporting and assistance. The initiative aligns with the Qatar National Vision 2030, aiming to eliminate trafficking and safeguard public freedoms through a procedural system developed with the participation of government and non-governmental bodies.