ABU DHABI, 25th April, 2025 (WAM) -- Mama Fatima Singhateh, the UN Special Rapporteur on the sale, sexual exploitation, and sexual abuse of children, has praised the UAE government for its robust efforts and thorough preparedness in the field of child protection

“I am grateful to the government representatives for their excellent collaboration,” Singhateh stated at a press conference held at The St. Regis in Abu Dhabi. “I also thank all interlocutors for their constructive engagement and look forward to receiving the additional data and statistics requested.”

During her country visit from 14th to 24th April, Singhateh toured all seven emirates—Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Ras Al Khaimah, Ajman, Umm Al Qaiwain, Sharjah, and Fujairah—where she met with representatives of federal and local authorities, police, judiciary, civil society, service providers, and children

Answering a question by the Emirates News Agency (WAM), the UN Special Rapporteur said, “I had meetings with governmental officials across various sectors and ministries. My overall impression was quite positive. What stood out to me most was the level of preparation for my visit—the presentations were elaborate, detailed, and the officials were open to suggestions.”

She added, “During these presentations, I offered several recommendations to enhance the efforts already underway. I found a genuine willingness to receive feedback and explore ways to improve. In the field of child protection, there's no such thing as a perfect system, but what truly matters is the openness to learn and to adopt constructive recommendations that strengthen ongoing work."

In her preliminary observations and end of mission statement, the UN Special Rapporteur stated, “Since the visit of my predecessor back in 2009, the UAE has undergone tremendous improvements in the area of child rights promotion and child protection. Numerous positive developments have been registered over the past 16 years and in line with her recommendations.”

She added, "The UAE in 2016 completed its ratification process of the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography – one of the main instruments guiding my mandate.”

In the same year, she added, the UAE passed the Federal Law No. 3 of 2016 on Child Rights (or Wadeema’s Law) – a comprehensive child protection law that marks a milestone in the UAE's legislative history.

“Since my predecessor’s visit, the UAE has also put in place more robust child protection structures,” Mama Fatima said.

The UN Special Rapporteur visited several specialised care and support facilities for child victims, including: The Child Centre in Abu Dhabi; Dubai Foundation for Women and Children; Aman Shelter for Women and Children in Ras Al Khaimah; Himaya Foundation for Woman and Child in Ajman and Kanaf Centre in Sharjah.

Mama Fatima commended the establishment of Emirati Children’s Parliament in 2020 by the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood. She also commended the Government for establishing the Ministry of Family.