Today's Edition
MAYS IBRAHIM (ABU DHABI)
The UAE has achieved significant progress in the area of child rights promotion and child protection, according to the UN Special Rapporteur on the sale and sexual exploitation of children, Mama Fatima Singhateh, who concluded a 10-day visit to the UAE on Thursday.
She travelled to all seven emirates and met with representatives of the federal and local government, the police, judges, members of the civil society, service and care providers, and children.
"Numerous positive developments have been registered over the past 16 years and in line with her [my predecessor's] recommendations,” Singhateh said in a press conference on Thursday.
She added that the invitation to visit and the cooperation extended throughout her mission reflect the UAE's strong commitment to tackling child exploitation and providing appropriate care and support for victims.
Singhateh highlighted several key legislative milestones in the UAE, including the adoption of Wadeema’s Law in 2016, which guarantees children’s rights to protection from abuse, and more recent federal decrees targeting cybercrime and human trafficking.
“The law [Wadeema’s Law] provides protection of the rights of all children in the UAE, including their right to be protected from all forms of neglect, exploitation, physical and psychological abuses, in line with their best interests,” she explained.
“The law also calls for the establishment of child protection measures and mechanisms, including the appointment of child protection specialists in every institution that works with children.”
Institutionally, Singhateh noted the expansion of specialised centres and services for children across the country.
She highlighted the Ministry of Interior’s Child Protection Centre, established in 2011, as a key institution leading child safety efforts through strategy development, policy implementation, oversight of protection practices, and community support services.
“The Child Protection Centre also places special emphasis on child protection in the digital environment and has been working to address the risks children face on the internet,” Singhateh said.
“It is worthy to commend the Ministry of Interior’s shift in approach towards prioritising early detection of online sexual exploitation and abuse against children by undertaking online patrolling and using AI-based softwares.”
Singhateh further commended the establishment of child-friendly facilities and shelters, such as the Child Center in Abu Dhabi, the Dubai Foundation for Women and Children, and the Kanaf Centre in Sharjah, which provide integrated care to child victims of abuse.
“It is noteworthy that many of these actors place emphasis on the provision of services for the family with a view to enhance the wellbeing of the entire family, thereby contributing to minimise situations that may put children at risk to sexual exploitation and abuse,” she said.
Singhateh also highlighted the AI for Safer Children initiative launched in 2020 by the Ministry of Interior, in collaboration with the United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute (UNICRI).
The initiative supports law enforcement globally by promoting the use of artificial intelligence to investigate child sexual exploitation and abuse.
“The initiative has produced AI for Safer Children Global Hub, an online platform with a collection of information on AI tools available to combat this specific crime as well as a community of practice for over 1,000 officers from 120 countries,” Singhateh said.
She also acknowledged the UAE’s efforts to address the needs of vulnerable groups, such as children with disabilities.
“I visited the Al Bahia Innovation Center under the Zayed Higher Organization for People of Determination, which provides services for people of determination, including children, to empower them educationally, functionally, culturally and socially in line with their abilities and aspirations.”
“Such commendable initiatives would empower and contribute to reducing children of determination’s risks of exposure to exploitation,” she said.
Singhateh was particularly inspired by her meetings with young members of the Emirati Children’s Parliament and Sharjah Youth Shura Council.
“All the children I met with are changemakers in their own communities and country. They engage with their peers and raise awareness on various issues ranging from empowerment, bullying and violence against children – I am truly inspired by their confidence, astuteness and capability,” she said.
