Abu Dhabi: A new law is being planned to protect children from child labour and all other forms of abuse, Gulf News has learnt.
Under the draft law, adults who fail to act on children's complaints or inform authorities about abuses, will face penalties and fines.
As well as criminalising child labour it also provides for prohibiting the airing of vulgar or sexually explicit content that may affect children's behaviour.
Moza Al Shoomi, director of the Child Department at the Ministry of Social Affairs, said child rights are there in UAE law, "but this Child Rights Law will promote social progress and better living standards in the UAE."
The official was commenting after Sunday's landmark court decision in Abu Dhabi, which sentenced a father and a stepmother to 10 years in prison for abusing and toruting their 9-year-old daughter.
The proposed law, she said, calls for a hotline to respond to children's problems and encourages the establishment of associations or clubs specialising in child affairs, as well as calling for the appointment of a special judge for children.
In the draft, crimes against children will be fought and dealt with systematically, in keeping with the universal principles enshrined in similar laws in other nations - that "Every child must be able to live in the spirit of peace, dignity, tolerance, freedom, equality and solidarity".
Following are the salient points of the new draft law:
Every child is guaranteed to enjoy all rights of the law, without discrimination of any kind, irrespective of the child's or his/her parents' or legal guardian's race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national, ethnic or social origin, property, disability, birth or other status.
Under all circumstances, the protection, care and rescue efforts for the child are of primary consideration. The government's interest is to protect children's lives and all their rights in emergencies, disasters and armed conflicts. Every child has a right to life.
The government shall ensure to the maximum extent possible the survival and development of the child. Every child has the right to freely express his/her opinion in accordance with the general norms and ethics.
Children's opinions should be given due weight in accordance with the age and maturity of the child. Children below the age of 15 are prohibited from being employed.
Every child must be registered in the official registry immediately after birth. Every child shall have the right to a proper name from birth that doesn't disgrace or insult him/her or any religion.
Every child has the right to acquire a nationality, according to UAE naturalisation law. Every child has the right to live in a united and stable family.
The government should guarantee the responsibilities and duties of the parents or the legal guardian towards appropriate rearing, care and direction of the child. Every child should know his/her parents and should not be adopted by others.
No child shall be subjected to arbitrary or unlawful interference in his or her privacy, family, or correspondence, nor to unlawful attacks on his or her honour and reputation.
The government shall take all appropriate measures to protect the child from physical or mental violence, injury or abuse, neglect or negligent treatment, maltreatment or exploitation, including sexual abuse while in the care of parents, legal guardians or any person entrusted with the care of the child.
The government should ensure that disabled children have access to a full life and receive education, healthcare and rehabilitation services.
Your comments
Excellent move. God bless UAE. Kindly let us have the hotline nos.
Kiran Karkera
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: April 27, 2009, 13:25
Bravo to the ministry for this noble thought this was one law UAE needed the most we would like to know where we can complain of such mistreatment of kids, as I personally know such kids who are being abused.
Zahra
Dubai,UAE
Posted: April 27, 2009, 13:21
