Starting Over: Children Return Home from Camel Racing

Starting Over: Children Return Home from Camel Racing

Starting Over: Children Return Home from Camel Racing

EXCERPT FROM PUBLICATION:

“In May 2005, UNICEF and the Government of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) signed a groundbreaking agreement to return children formerly involved in camel racing to their countries of origin and reintegrate them into their communities. Government and non-governmental organization (NGO) delegates from Bangladesh, Mauritania, Pakistan and Sudan committed their support to helping the children who returned home to re-enter society. This historic initiative is the first programme in the Gulf region to publicly acknowledge the issues of child trafficking and exploitation, and take practical steps to protect children. By strengthening legislation and policies, the programme prevents the trafficking and exploitation of children for use in camel racing, and protects and assists young victims. Acknowledging that no state can end child trafficking alone, it engages international partners, including those countries from which children are trafficked.”