Zero tolerance for child abuse

The Abu Dhabi Criminal Court is right to award long prison sentences to the father and step-mother of a nine-year-old girl for child abuse. The girl was subjected to burns, knife cuts and beatings. Relatives were infuriated when the father justified his actions claiming he wanted to save his daughter from sin. Both the accused will now spend 10 years in jail for their crime, and also have to pay Dh160,000 in compensation.

The substantial sentence is a legal landmark that strengthens the UAE's position that domestic violence will be punished severely. Until now the social importance of a family home's privacy had a significant impact on legal judgments over a whole range of crimes, including marital rape and abuse of servants.

This case received considerably more public interest than it might otherwise have got thanks to General Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, visiting the girl at Mafraq hospital, accompanied by his daughter Shaikha Shamma.

Shaikh Mohammad's subsequent call to people urging them to take a stand against child abuse has given a significant social message that such crimes should not be accepted or covered up out of embarrassment.

Your comments

It is a welcome step by the government to protect little ones from abuse in the family. I have seen plenty of cases when the parents hit thier children hard even in public, such children i am sure have a tougher time at home. There are many many ways of controlling children's mischief or diverting their attention when out of control, hitting is not the solution it worsens the child's outlook and after-effects are negative. I would request parents - if you have given birth to a new life....cherish it with love..the same love will come back to you. children know and understand the language of love....it is a sin to abuse any innocent life...be it children or anyone else. Learn to respect love and get the same in return.
Anjali B.Ramchandani
Dubai,UAE
Posted: April 27, 2009, 18:55

I welcome the actions of Abu Dhabi court!!! No tolerance for people who can raise their hands against children! We all must be attentive to any violation of human rights, especially of unprotected children, this is our social and human responsibility.
Iness Arut
Dubai,UAE
Posted: April 27, 2009, 14:42

Respect for every is individual very important for the society, there should not be any difference in religion, colour or sex. Today's children are tomorrow's future, we have to protect them.
Don Paul
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: April 27, 2009, 11:39