UN expert on sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography ends visit to UAE
18 October 2009
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18 October 2009
ABU DHABI – The Special Rapporteur on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography, Ms. Najat M’jid Maalla, who completed a seven-day visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Sunday, welcomed the Government’s political commitment to the rights of the child and the efforts it has undertaken, particularly in the area of combating trafficking in persons, including camel jockeys.
The Special Rapporteur welcomed UAE’s upcoming ratification of the Optional Protocol on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography.
She also praised the existing range of child protection programmes and centres, including shelters and a hotline for victims of child abuse, neglect and sexual exploitation, but pointed to the need for an integrated national child protection strategy, accessible to all children across the country. She also stressed the importance of “stronger prevention efforts, with a focus on the protection of vulnerable children” including stateless children (known as Bidoon) , migrant children, orphans and children with unknown parents.
Ms. M’jid Maalla also emphasized the need to harmonize juvenile justice legislation with international standards. She recalled: “all children under 18 years of age who are sexually exploited should be considered as victims, and have access to adequate care, protection, rehabilitation, reintegration and reparation.”
The Special Rapporteur, who during her mission visited Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah, welcomed the planned establishment of a Child Rights Monitoring mechanism and of an information system and database for the rights of the child.
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