Abu Dhabi Establishes Special Court to Handle Human Trafficking Cases

The UAE has established a specialised court in Abu Dhabi to exclusively handle human trafficking cases, strengthening the emirate’s judicial response to one of the most serious crimes affecting human rights.

UAE Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Presidential Court His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan issued Resolution No. 40 of 2026 on July 7, establishing the dedicated court in his capacity as Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department (ADJD).

The specialised court will oversee all human trafficking cases across Abu Dhabi, including ongoing cases, except those that have already reached the final stage before the issuance of a ruling.

The new system brings together all stages of legal proceedings under a specialised framework, covering investigations, prosecutions by the dedicated Public Prosecution, and hearings before the Court of First Instance and Courts of Appeal. The move is expected to improve efficiency, accelerate case resolution and ensure a more coordinated approach to tackling trafficking offences.

The resolution forms part of Abu Dhabi’s wider efforts to strengthen its specialised judiciary system, enhance protection mechanisms for victims and uphold human dignity and fundamental rights.

The ADJD Undersecretary will issue the necessary decisions to implement the resolution and supervise the operations of the specialised court.

The establishment of the court builds on the UAE’s ongoing efforts to combat human trafficking through stronger legislation, victim support programmes and international cooperation.

In 2023, the UAE Cabinet approved amendments to the country’s anti-trafficking laws, expanding support services for victims, including educational assistance and safe repatriation. The amendments also introduced stricter penalties by criminalising acts such as incitement to commit trafficking and increasing punishments for offenders.

The UAE government’s anti-trafficking strategy focuses on four key areas: prevention, prosecution of offenders, protection of survivors and international cooperation. The country operates specialised shelters, conducts awareness campaigns and enforces strict penalties, including a minimum fine of Dh100,000 and imprisonment of at least five years for convicted offenders.


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