The UAE has been praised by the United Nations for its considerable strides in strengthening child rights and enforcing robust child protection mechanisms. A recent UN evaluation highlighted the country's firm commitment to fighting child exploitation, abuse, and neglect, and providing necessary legal and institutional support to protect minors.

 

Legal Framework: Groundbreaking Reforms

Among the most notable efforts is the implementation of comprehensive child protection laws, starting with the Wadeema Law in 2016, which guarantees children’s right to protection from all forms of abuse, exploitation, and neglect.

Since then, the UAE has ratified international treaties and introduced key legislation, including:

• Federal Decree-Law No. 34 of 2021 on Countering Rumours and Cybercrimes – Addresses digital threats and strictly prohibits the online creation or sharing of child sexual abuse material.

• Federal Decree-Law No. 24 of 2023 on Combating Human Trafficking – Targets child trafficking with stricter enforcement and enhanced penalties.

 

Institutions Driving Child Protection

To complement its legal efforts, the UAE has established several specialized structures focused on child protection:

• The Child Protection Centre under the Ministry of Interior, active since 2011, develops safety-focused initiatives for children.

• The Child Protection Unit within the Ministry of Education works to protect children in both public and private schools, ensuring safe environments in education and at home.

 

Leveraging AI for Protection and Justice

A standout example of the UAE's innovative approach is its 2020 partnership with the UN Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute. This collaboration promotes the use of AI to support law enforcement in detecting and investigating child exploitation and abuse, showcasing how artificial intelligence can enhance human rights protections.

 

Looking Ahead

The UN's findings are based on a comprehensive eleven-day mission to the UAE, the first since 2009, and a full report will be presented to the UN Human Rights Council in March 2026. The country’s efforts to build a safer, rights-focused environment for children place it as a regional leader in child protection and legal reform.

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