Whenever you're travelling, be vigilant because that passenger next to you could be a victim of human trafficking. And if you spot the signs - 'don't turn a blind eye', the Dubai Police have urged.

The police launched their 'Dont' Turn a Blind Eye' campaign on Tuesday, coinciding with World Day against Trafficking in Persons. It will be an extensive two-year campaign that aims to raise awareness and help people - from airport staff to travellers - identify and report human trafficking.

A series of workshops and awareness conferences will be carried out for airport employees. Tips and information will be displayed on screens in Dubai airports, educating travellers on what they can do to help a possible trafficking victim. The police also aim to reach out to victims and assure them that they can always seek help from the authorities.

Raising travellers' awareness and training those who work at the airports are key to fighting such crimes, said Brigadier Dr Mohammed Abdullah Al Murr, director of the General Directorate for Human Rights.

In 2018, the Dubai Police detected 30 cases of human trafficking, he said.

The officer added that $41 billion and more than 20 million victims have been involved in human trafficking cases across the world. And according to Unicef, around 1.2 million of them are children. Trafficking has many types, he explained. It can be forced labor, sexual abuse, prostitution, and organ trading, among others.

To combat such crimes, full cooperation from society is necessary, he added. "No one should hesitate to contact the police in case one notices any type of human trafficking," Brig Al Murr said.

Boris Znamensky, deputy director of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) office in GCC countries, thanked the Dubai Police for launching the campaign, saying that the UNODC is proud to be a partner.

2-YR drive, 3 KEY MESSAGES

>For travellers: Report any suspicious case you may encounter

>For airport employees: Be vigilant and keep an eye on possible cases

>For victims: Never hesitate to ask the police for help

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