Abu dhabi: The UAE, through its Ministry of Interior and in collaboration with the United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute (UNICRI), has played a key role in training law enforcement officers from 10 Latin American countries. These officers were part of an international operation targeting online child sexual exploitation and abuse.
According to Emirates News Agency, the operation was spearheaded by Argentina and conducted simultaneously across 15 countries, including Brazil, Ecuador, Peru, Paraguay, Bolivia, Colombia, Chile, Venezuela, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Mexico, Dominican Republic, and the United States. The training initiative was held in Buenos Aires, Argentina, under the 'Artificial Intelligence for Safer Children' program. This initiative, launched by UNICRI and the UAE's Ministry of Interior in 2020, aims to bolster law enforcement's ability to utilize artificial intelligence in combating child sexual exploitation crimes.
The training's effectiveness was demonstrated by its contribution to a major international operation, led by Argentina, named 'International Operation against Online Exploitation and Sexual Abuse of Children.' This operation achieved notable outcomes, including issuing 73 search warrants across participating countries, arresting 22 suspects for possessing, producing, or distributing child sexual exploitation materials, rescuing 15 minors, executing 32 arrests, and seizing 393 electronic devices.
This operation delivered a significant setback to those committing such crimes and highlighted the UAE's leadership in enhancing law enforcement capabilities in child protection, thereby reinforcing the safety and security of children globally.