Posted on 09/14/2006 11:08:07 AM PDT by Republicain
Dubai's ruler has been accused of enslaving thousands of young children for camel races in a class-action lawsuit filed in the US. The action claims Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum, his brother Hamdam and 500 others are responsible for abducting and trafficking the children.
It was filed on behalf of six unidentified parents and thousands of unnamed children.
There has been no comment on the action from the accused.
The children were said to be from Bangladesh, Sudan and southern Asia.
Once in Dubai, it is claimed that the children - some of them as young as two - were kept in poor conditions, starved (so as to keep their weight down), abused and forced to take part in a dangerous sport.
The case was filed in Miami where Sheikh Mohammed and his brother, Sheikh Hamdam bin Rashid al-Maktoum, have property.
The two, along with the other 500 defendants who the suit says are as yet unknown, face nine counts.
They include engaging in slavery, conspiring to engage in slavery, engaging in or facilitating child labour, battery, assault, infliction of emotional distress and wrongful death.
The use of child camel jockeys was banned in Dubai 13 years ago.
I don't know the laws in Dubai, but if he is the 'ruler' can't he just pardon/forgive himself?
Isn't Michael Jackson on Dubai?........
That would be Dubious.......
Sad. I reaaaaaaaly wanted them running our ports.
That damn slavery rap can tarnish you career.
The gloved-one resides in Bahrain. Dubai is considered the most 'western' of all countries in the Middle East.
Camel racing and the abuse of child jockeys is common throughout the Middle East and while horribly wrong, allowed to continue.
Hopefully this lawsuit will bring attention and lead to corrective measures.
You have to wonder if the rulers in the Middle East will take notice of a lawsuit launched in the country that goes after the ultra-hot coffee served by fast food chains.
I certainly do not condone child slavery but hate to see our courts used only to "bring attention" to something no matter how wrong.
As do I... maybe this is a US based lawsuit because it has and most likely will continue to be a cause that will receive little traction in Middle East courts.
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