MoI Discusses Policy to Protect Children against Abuse and Neglect

ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates - Wednesday, November 5th 2014 [ME NewsWire]

In a specialized workshop, the Higher Committee for Child Protection at the Ministry of Interior discussed policy to protect children against abuse and neglect. Sixty-two officers from concerned departments and various police sectors from the ministry attended and participated in the discussion.

Major General Nasser Lakhrebani Al Nuaimi, Secretary General of the Office of HH Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior and Chairman of the Higher Committee for Child Protection at the Ministry of Interior, inaugurated the workshop, stressing the prospects of the UAE to become a leading, distinguished country for child protection. “The Ministry of Interior is keen and committed to protect all children living in the UAE against any abuse, while defining the principles and actions necessary to realize this commitment,” Al Nuaimi said.

Major General Al Nuaimi explained: “The ministry is committed to the principles of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), which the UAE ratified in 1997. Children face a myriad of risks that threaten their safety within their communities. We can limit and protect against these risks by raising awareness and efficiently implementing laws, policies, and procedures.

We need to address the factors and reasons behind neglect, which could lead to their death or endanger their safety. The Ministry of Interior, represented by the Child Protection Center and its police departments, is working hard to address these risks.”

Major General Al Nuaimi expressed his sorrow for the recent falling incidents, and “in order to avoid such painful circumstances, parents need to follow safety measures in their homes, watch, and supervise their children; and to make sure windows are closed and keep any objects that help children climb windows and balconies away - especially in areas where they play.”  

Major Dr. Mohammed Khalifa Al Ali, Director of the Child Protection Center at the Ministry of Interior and Head of the Policy Team at the Higher Committee for Child Protection, said: “We need to limit the risks that children face in their community, which could affect their safety. The major responsibility in this regard falls upon mothers and fathers, as they need to provide a safe environment inside their houses- free of any fears and risks.

Under this responsibility, parents are to provide the basic necessities: food, shelter, education, and health care. Seamless protection requires efficient cooperation and information exchange between government and non-government bodies. In addition to cooperation, there must be mutual understanding and information exchange among families, departments, and specialists. In order to achieve success and prevent an abuse, different entities need to work together towards this goal.”

Major Dr. Al Ali stated: “People working in other sectors, such as teachers, physicians, and child caretakers, need to be alert- as they are advised to take notes upon finding signs that indicate abuse or neglect, and are to notify the police as such. They need to keep their eyes open to protect children and share information with the concerned authorities in order to achieve a good assessment of a child’s needs and conditions.  

Once a policy is approved, unified training programs will be designed and executed in order to qualify the ministry’s employees who work in the field or in the professional sectors. They will undergo specialist courses on child protection in order to be able to identify the indications and signs of abuse, how to protect children, and how to respond to any violations.”

“Employees need to be trained to utilize e-programs and databases related to child protection, such as the program to monitor dangerous offenders. Intensified training courses will be organized for employees in medical services, criminal investigation, security information, and other departments that could leverage this program and gain necessary skills,” Major Dr. Al Ali explained.

The current version of the policy, which is being developed under the supervision and advice of experts and professionals from the UK and Australia, will empower future effort to protect children according to the best and most advanced international practices.

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The Arabic-language text of this announcement is the official, authoritative version. Translations are provided as an accommodation only, and should be cross-referenced with the Arabic-language text, which is the only version of the text intended to have legal effect.

Contacts

The UAE Minister of Interior's General Secretariat, Tactical Affairs and Security Media Department 

Abu Dhabi Police GHQ - Security Media

Chris Cron +971-(0)-50-987-1317

E-mail: cron.media@hotmail.com

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