UAE set to issue tough child protection law

The UAE has drafted a law to curb family violence against children as part of a long-term strategy to protect child rights following reports of a surge in such cases, the semi official daily Alittihad reported on Wednesday.

The ministry of social affairs has drafted the law and presented it to the federal cabinet for endorsement, the paper said, adding that the law involves heavy penalties against those who fail to report child violence cases.

“The new law makes it compulsory for nannies, babysitters, social educators and doctors to report any child violence cases to the competent authorities,” said Mouza Al Shamsi, director of the child department at the ministry.

She said the law involves penalties ranging between Dh10,000 and Dh50,000 against those who witness child violence cases and fail to report them.

“The law also stipulates the provision of authorized guides to protect children against physical or psychological violence…these guides will be chosen by local departments and will have the powers to arrest culprits.”

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