UN expert commends UAE's commitment to child protection

UN Special Rapporteur Mama Fatima Singhateh has commended the UAE government for its strong child protection laws and efforts to prevent exploitation.

Singhateh said the country has "put in place more robust child protection structures" since her predecessor’s visit in 2009.

She spent 10 days in the UAE, touring all seven emirates and meeting with representatives of federal and local authorities, police, judiciary, civil society, service providers and children.

Speaking at the press conference in Abu Dhabi, she said "the UAE has undergone tremendous improvements in the area of child rights promotion and child protection" over the last 16 years.

"Numerous positive developments have been registered... and in line with her recommendations," she added.

It was in 2016 that the UAE passed the child protection law (also known as Wadeema’s law) and completed the ratification of the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child. The UAE also established the Emirati Children’s Parliament in 2020 and the Ministry of Family to shine focus on children welfare and well-being. 

"In the field of child protection, there's no such thing as a perfect system, but what truly matters is the openness to learn and to adopt constructive recommendations that strengthen ongoing work," she said.

Singhateh also visited several specialised care and support facilities for child victims in Abu Dhabi, Ras Al Khaimah, Ajman and Sharjah.