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[DUBAI, 4 July 2007] - The UAE Ministry of Interior and government representatives from Sudan, Bangladesh, Mauritania and Pakistan held a series of meetings to lay the foundation for an Independent Claims Facility to compensate child camel jockeys from these countries. Organised by the UAE Ministry of Interior, the meetings, held at Emirates Towers from 26-27 June, are an extension of the agreement reached earlier this year between the UAE Government and the involved countries. The mandate of the meeting included establishing a special committee to ensure the Independent Claims Facility is implemented as envisaged by the agreement. It includes stipulations for the establishment of an Independent Claims Facility to pay compensation to children from Sudan, Mauritania, Pakistan, and Bangladesh who were formerly involved in camel racing in the UAE. The Special Committee was established by Ministerial Decree Number 364 for 2007 to implement the UNICEF and UAE agreement. Colonel Nasser Al Menhali, the Chairman of the Special Committee, said: “The agreements reflect the UAE government’s commitment to resolve the camel jockey issue and to restore the rights of children. This is an important matter in which we, in association with other countries, are investing significant resources to provide a mechanism to ensure a just and fair solution to victims of this practice.” The meetings were attended by government representatives from the UAE, Pakistan, Mauritania, Bangladesh and Sudan, who discussed steps to prevent children from being forced or sold into the camel jockey trade. Saving accounts Some of the suggestions included a compensation system that would guarantee a savings account of the child jockey’s earnings which would be transferred at the age of 18. Another recommendation was collaboration with media and police in rural areas to inform the public of the compensation programme to encourage people to come forward and claim their rights. The claims facility will make every effort to locate, give notice to, and assist nationals of the four countries who were engaged in camel racing in the UAE. The agreement also provides compensation for any and all anguish, pain, emotional distress or physical injuries the child jockeys may have suffered. Each of the countries will establish an Independent Claims Facility governed by an Administrative Board, with one member for each Board appointed by the UAE Ministry of Interior, and two members for each Board appointed respectively by the Ministry of Home Affairs of the Government of Bangladesh, the Government of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, the Ministry of Interior of The Republic of Sudan, and the Government of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania. These appointees, or their designees, shall have all the powers, duties and responsibilities for the operation of the Independent Claims Facilities in each country. Each Board may designate one or more NGOs or similar entities like UNICEF or the Red Crescent Society, chosen for their expertise in working with children formerly involved in camel racing. These NGOs/entities will help publicise the Claim Facility and provide legal and other assistance to children who are considering or have filed claims. Further information
pdf: http://www.middleeastevents.com/site/pres_dtls.asp?pid=1639