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[DUBAI, 20 October 2008] - The Ministry of Social Affairs in UAE has drafted a law on children’s rights, the Minister of Social Affairs, Mariam Mohammed Al Roumi, has disclosed. Speaking on the sidelines of a symposium to discuss children’s rights recently, Al Roumi said plans for the draft law were first mooted following UAE's ratification of the Convention on the Rights of the Child in 1996. She said the proposed law would soon be posted online inviting public views and recommendations. It will remain online until November 30, after which it will be presented to the Cabinet. Elaborating, Al Roumi said the draft law focuses on the rights of children and their special care and protection provided by parents. The draft law is important to community members, the minister said, while pointing out that the UAE has issued a number of federal laws pertaining to children, including compulsory education, bans on child labour, and a law to protect juveniles. In addition to the existing laws, the proposed law will be more comprehensive and will cover issues not tackled already by the federal authority. Mohammed Bakr, Legal Advisor to the Ministry of Social Affairs, said the proposed law includes 67 Articles. The most important Article includes appointment of a guardian who will have the judicial powers to intervene, prevent or rectify any violations of the rights of a child. The guardian will also have the power to ensure security to a child faced with physical or psychological threat or subject to any form of abuse by family, or institutions. He also will have the right to intervene and investigate any child abuse case and could take the decision of placing the child in a safe environment away from family or institution. Article 50 of the draft law stipulates that if doctors, social workers or education officials responsible for child care witness any abuse or threat to a child’s safety, they should alert the guardian, failing which, they will be handed fines between Dh2,000 and Dh10,000, Bakr said. Also, the draft law has proposed appointment of a special judge for children. Under the draft law, children under the age of 15 will not be allowed to work. All children, including the stateless, have the right to their nationality and compulsory primary education. Further information
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