Camel Jockeys of Rahimyar Khan: Findings of a Participatory Research on the Life and Situation of Child Camel Jockeys
- Document number
- 1351
- Date
- 2005
- Title
- Camel Jockeys of Rahimyar Khan: Findings of a Participatory Research on the Life and Situation of Child Camel Jockeys
- Author/publisher
- Syed Mehmood Asghar, Sabir Farhat & Shereen Niaz. Save the Children Sweden, Pakistan Rural Workers Social Welfare Organisation
- Availability
- View/save PDF version of this document
- Document type(s)
- Research/Study/Analysis,
- Keywords
- Child trafficking, Child labour
- Summary
- Trafficking of children for camel racing from Pakistan to UAE has been going on for more than 30 years as the government authorities and civil society organizations failed to take any action to stop it. The only voices of concern have been in response to newspaper reports of deaths among children while racing camels. International television news channels have made documentaries on these children. This created awareness and demands that children must not be used in inhuman sporting events which could cost them their lives. Despite this awareness and concern, there have been very few initiatives to gather facts and investigate the issue in depth. Most of the studies generally looked into issues such as the reasons for trafficking, target communities from where the children were trafficked, routes of trafficking etc. but none have investigated the situation of children whilst in UAE as camel jockeys and conditions in which they spent their time there. This research is therefore a unique and a pioneering effort by Save the Children Sweden and Pakistan Rural Workers' Social Welfare Organization in gathering data from repatriated children, who had returned to Pakistan after working as camel jockeys in the UAE. The information collected from these children is the most important aspect of this research study as it gives us a detailed account of the situation which the children faced at the hands of sheikhs, bedus or their cohorts. The information shows the severity of abuse and exploitation of children, which persists, in the camel racing industry even today. The research has also gathered important information from other sources like parents, caregivers, agents, and some adults who had worked in the UAE as camel trainers and supervisors of camel farms. Other stakeholders such as the police and law enforcement agencies, lawyers, local government authorities, teachers, religious leaders, and working and non-working children also actively participated in the consultations. An important aspect of this research has been a review of literature on camel racing in the Gulf region. The literature review helped understand the context and evolution of camel racing in Arab society and trace the transition in status of the camel in Arab culture. The research clarifies some of the myths associated with the issue of child camel jockeys and explains the modus operandi of trafficking mafia in achieving their ill objective. This report very clearly identifies different groups of people involved in child trafficking and those who collaborate with traffickers at different levels. This is a qualitative research study which seeks to throw light on the broader context of child trafficking for camel racing. Its purpose is to provide the facts and understanding for those, whether in the government or civil society, who are unaware of the issue. It gives a wealth of information and guidance for initiating intervention programmes aimed at combating child trafficking for camel racing.
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