Following a number of reported incidents causing death or endangering a child’s life, lawyers have issued a warning reminding the public of serious punishment including a fine of up to Dh 1 million and no less than 10 years’ imprisonment.
Haytham Alieh, partner and head of the local litigation team at DWF Middle East, said the punishment falls under the Federal Law No. 3 of 2016 or the Child Rights Law (Wadeema’s Law), as per an interview with Khaleej Times.
Under Article 33 of the said law, child exposure to rejection, neglect and homelessness is about endangering a child’s mental, moral, or physical health.
He also cited Article 34 of which prohibits a custodian, a person entrusted with the child’s care, from abandoning the child and risk endangering his or her psychological and moral integrity.
Whoever violates Articles 11, 28, 34 and 35 will face imprisonment and a fine of Dh 5,000.
However, the punishment for such acts increases depending on the damage caused on the child. It can reach up to Dh 1 million and including no less than 10 years of imprisonment.
Lawyer Rini Agarwal, senior associate at STA Law Firm also reechoed the other lawyer’s point that the person who took care of the child at a time of an incident will take responsibility for it.
The Federal Traffic Law Number 21 of 1995 also states that authorities shall also ensure the protection of children from traffic and road accidents.
