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He said that the UAE had taken active and practical steps in this aspect over several years.

The first person who gave attention to the protection of child jockeys was the Late Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, who gave orders to stop using underage children as jockeys in camel racing. He also directed to repatriate the children to their respective home countries at his own expenses.

Following footsteps of his predecessor, President Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan continued to give care and attention to the issue, and signed the Law No.15/Year 2005 banning employment of children under the age of 18 as camel jockeys in the racing events.

Through this care given by the leadership and the contineous monitoring of its implementation by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Lt.Gen. Sheikh Saif Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Interior Ministry was entrusted with the task of putting the law into practice, said Lt.Gen.Shaafar.

This was carried out in cooperation with other bodies with jurisdiction and several ordinances were issued, committees formed, and task forces set up to follow up the implementation of Law No. 15/2005.

As a result, all child jockeys were located, given shelters, rehabilitated, compensated and repatriated to their home countries to reintegrate them into normal life by giving them education, housing and social care.

UAE also signed agreement with the UNICEF for rehabilitation of these children and make them capable of leading dignified life in their home countries by way of providing them with all necessary assistance for education, healthcare and social support, recalled Lt.Gen. Shaafar.---MORE---.

WAM/AB