Legislation Details
- Full Title: Cabinet Resolution Concerning the Executive Regulation of Federal Law on Child Rights Law (Wadeema)
- Law Type: Federal Law
- Law Number: [no number] of [no year]
- Issued Date: 14 Nov 2018
- Effective Date: 14 Nov 2018
- Official Gazette: No. 642
- Sector: Family and Community
- Status: Active
- Number of Articles: 47
- Chapters/Parts: 0
- Amendments: 0
Summary
This Cabinet Resolution establishes the executive regulation for the Federal Law on Child Rights (also known as the "Wadeema Law"). The law aims to protect the rights and welfare of children in the United Arab Emirates. It defines key terms, sets out obligations and requirements for employers, educational institutions, and government bodies, and establishes a Child Protection Unit to implement child protection mechanisms. The law is significant for businesses, families, and child welfare organizations in the UAE, as it imposes new responsibilities and penalties to ensure the proper care and safeguarding of children. (Cabinet Resolution Concerning the Executive Regulation of Federal Law on Child Rights Law (Wadeema), 2018)
What is the scope and purpose of this law?
The purpose of this law is to provide the executive regulation for the Federal Law on Child Rights, also known as the "Wadeema Law". It applies to all children under the age of 18 in the United Arab Emirates and regulates various aspects of child protection, including employment, education, social services, and law enforcement. The law aims to ensure the best interests of the child are prioritized in all circumstances. (Cabinet Resolution Concerning the Executive Regulation of Federal Law on Child Rights Law (Wadeema), 2018, Art. 1)
What are the key definitions under this law?
The law provides the following key definitions:
- The State: The United Arab Emirates
- The Ministry: The Ministry of Community Development
- The Minister: The Minister of Community Development
- The Competent Authorities: The federal authorities concerned with child affairs
- The Bodies Concerned: The local authorities concerned with child affairs
- The Child: Each and every human being born alive and below 18 years of age
- The Custodian: The person legally in charge of the Child or entrusted with the Child's custody
- The Foster Family: The alternative family entrusted with the custody and care of the Child
- The Child Protection Specialist: The person duly licensed and assigned by the Competent Authority or the bodies concerned to preserve the Child rights and protect the Child
- Child Abuse: Each and every act or omission that would be detrimental to the Child in a manner that prevents his upbringing and growth in a proper, safe and healthy manner
- Child Neglect: Failure of parents or custodians to take the measures necessary for protecting the Child's life and physical, psychological, mental, and moral wellness from danger and preserving his various rights
- Violence Against the Child: The deliberate use of force against any child by any individual or community, inflicting actual harm to the Child's health or growth or survival
- The Child's Best Interest: Put the Child's interest above all considerations and give priority and preference thereto in all circumstances, regardless of the interests of other parties
- The Child Protection Unit: The organizational units, reporting to the Competent Authorities or the bodies concerned, having sole competence to implement the Child protection mechanisms and measures
- The Social Care Institution: The institution, reporting to the Competent Authorities or the bodies concerned, that provides social care and accommodation services for the Child abused or deprived of family care
- The Therapeutic Shelter: The medical, social, or psychological facility that provides treatment and rehabilitation services for child molestation perpetrators
- The Educational Institution: The public or private institution wherein a student is enrolled in education stages within the State under the supervision of the Ministry or the educational body
- The Approved Form: The Child status assessment form approved by the Ministry in coordination with the bodies concerned
- The Law: Federal Law No. (3) of 2016 on Child Rights Law (Wadeema)
(Cabinet Resolution Concerning the Executive Regulation of Federal Law on Child Rights Law (Wadeema), 2018, Art. 1)
What are the main obligations and requirements?
The law imposes the following key obligations: 1. The Ministry of Community Development must study and approve applications for child employment, in coordination with the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratization. (Art. 2) 2. Children under 15 years of age are prohibited from employment, and any employed child must be medically fit and meet other conditions set by the Ministry. (Art. 2) 3. The Ministry must issue a permit for any approved child employment and monitor the child's work through periodic reports. (Art. 2) 4. Children are banned from entering or being accompanied to certain hazardous or inappropriate places, such as nightclubs, factories, and places of war or natural disasters. (Art. 3) 5. Movie theaters and TV channels must post the age ratings for films and materials in a conspicuous place. (Art. 4) 6. Educational institutions must report any suspected abuse or violations of child rights to the Child Protection Unit. (Art. 5-6) 7. The Child Protection Unit must take various protective and rehabilitative measures for children who have suffered abuse or violations of their rights. (Art. 6-7) (Cabinet Resolution Concerning the Executive Regulation of Federal Law on Child Rights Law (Wadeema), 2018)
What licensing, registration, or approval requirements exist?
The law does not specify any licensing, registration, or approval requirements for individuals or entities, other than: 1. The Ministry of Community Development must issue a permit for any approved child employment. (Art. 2) 2. The Child Protection Specialist must be duly licensed and assigned by the Competent Authority or the bodies concerned. (Art. 1) The legislation does not provide further details on the licensing or approval process for Child Protection Specialists. (Cabinet Resolution Concerning the Executive Regulation of Federal Law on Child Rights Law (Wadeema), 2018)
What rights and protections does this law provide?
The law aims to protect the following rights and interests of children in the UAE: 1. The right to be protected from abuse, neglect, and violence. (Art. 1, 6-7) 2. The right to have their best interests prioritized in all circumstances. (Art. 1) 3. The right to be integrated into programs and activities that support their personal development. (Art. 10) 4. The right to receive appropriate psychological, social, and health treatment if they have suffered abuse or ill-treatment. (Art. 6-7) 5. The right to have their families provided with the necessary skills and support to tackle problems. (Art. 10) 6. The right to have their visitation with parents or custodians regulated if they are placed in care institutions or with a foster family. (Art. 7) (Cabinet Resolution Concerning the Executive Regulation of Federal Law on Child Rights Law (Wadeema), 2018)
Which authorities or bodies are responsible for enforcement?
The key authorities and bodies responsible for enforcing and implementing this law are: 1. The Ministry of Community Development, which is responsible for overseeing child protection measures, selecting foster families, and developing policies and programs. (Art. 8) 2. The Child Protection Unit, which is responsible for receiving and evaluating reports of child rights violations, taking protective measures, providing counseling and support, and coordinating with other authorities. (Art. 7) 3. The Ministry of Education, which is responsible for circulating reporting procedures to educational institutions and advising the Child Protection Unit of any complaints or suspected violations. (Art. 5-6) 4. The Competent Authorities and Bodies Concerned, which are federal and local authorities responsible for child affairs and cooperating with the Ministry of Community Development. (Art. 1, 7-8) (Cabinet Resolution Concerning the Executive Regulation of Federal Law on Child Rights Law (Wadeema), 2018)
What are the penalties for non-compliance?
The legislation does not specify any penalties for non-compliance with its provisions.
What fees, charges, or financial provisions are specified?
The legislation does not specify any fees, charges, or financial provisions.
What exemptions or exceptions apply?
The legislation provides the following exemptions: 1. School visits and activities are excluded from the ban on children entering certain hazardous places, as long as they comply with controls set by the Ministry of Education. (Art. 3) The legislation does not mention any other exemptions or exceptions. (Cabinet Resolution Concerning the Executive Regulation of Federal Law on Child Rights Law (Wadeema), 2018, Art. 3)
How are disputes resolved under this law?
The legislation does not specify any dispute resolution mechanisms or procedures.
What are the key deadlines and time limits?
The legislation does not specify any deadlines or time limits, other than: 1. The supervisor in charge of a working child must prepare a periodic report every three months on the status of the child. (Art. 2) (Cabinet Resolution Concerning the Executive Regulation of Federal Law on Child Rights Law (Wadeema), 2018, Art. 2)
How does this law interact with other UAE legislation?
This Cabinet Resolution is the executive regulation for Federal Law No. (3) of 2016 on Child Rights Law (Wadeema). It does not mention repealing or amending any other UAE legislation. (Cabinet Resolution Concerning the Executive Regulation of Federal Law on Child Rights Law (Wadeema), 2018)
When did this law come into effect?
This Cabinet Resolution came into effect on 14 November 2018, the same date it was issued. It was published in Official Gazette No. 642 on 29 November 2018. (Cabinet Resolution Concerning the Executive Regulation of Federal Law on Child Rights Law (Wadeema), 2018)
Source Documents
This article analyses Cabinet Resolution Concerning the Executive Regulation of Federal Law on Child Rights Law (Wadeema) for legal research and educational purposes. For the purpose of interpretation and application, reference must be made to the original Arabic text. In case of conflict, the Arabic text prevails. This does not constitute legal advice.