Preventing Child Trafficking in the Gulf Countries, Yemen and Afghanistan: Policy Options
Author(s): D. Fall G. El-Khoury J. Kunugi K. Belbase K. C. Hirabayashi N. Izumi
This paper examines the phenomenon of child trafficking from Yemen and Afghanistan to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates in the Gulf countries by looking at causes of trafficking and by analysing the policy framework and strategies to combating child trafficking in these regions. The report shows that child trafficking is organized in several phases, starting in the source countries and ending in the destination countries where children are exploited. The paper argues that unless the causes leading to trafficking in both origin and destination countries are understood, this chain of trafficking will be difficult to break. The report identifies poverty, the low status of children, low educational levels and war among the key push factors leading to trafficking. The main pull factors include the lack of respect for children's rights, children's dependency on parents and adults, the use of children as cheap labour force, and the weak enforcement of legislation.
A comprehensive approach to combating child trafficking is proposed. It takes account of and builds on recent successes, within the countries covered and elsewhere, combined with some innovative interventions which respond to specific contexts:
- Enactment and enforcement of national legislation. It is essential that all countries where trafficking is a problem pass anti-trafficking legislation and set up proper enforcement mechanisms
- Inter-country (regional, sub-regional) collaboration. Inter-country collaboration and treaties in harmonising national legislations and cross-border aspects, joint training of police and immigration officials, and proper care and treatment for the victims are critical.
- Targeted income support/transfer schemes. Targeted income support measures constitute a sustainable solution to the issue of child trafficking, especially in areas that face chronic poverty and where livelihood options are meagre.
- Provision of viable alternatives to the exploitation of children in destination countries. Turning the begging industry in Saudi Arabia into a properly organized and monitored activity, based on economic principles would seem a viable option.