UN Special Rapporteur on the sale, sexual exploitation, and sexual abuse of children Fatima Singhateh welcomed on Thursday efforts from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to combat child sale and exploitation. She stated that the country demonstrated a firm commitment to protecting children and providing them with the necessary support.

Singhateh noted that the UAE has made significant progress in promoting children’s rights and enhancing their protection from sale, sexual exploitation, and sexual abuse. She also highlighted that the UAE implemented measures to improve its policy, legal, and institutional frameworks related to child protection. This includes the adoption of the Child Rights Law, known as the Wadeema Law, in 2016. This legislation safeguards the rights of children in the UAE, including their right to protection from all forms of neglect, exploitation, and physical or psychological abuse. That same year, the UAE ratified the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child regarding the sale of children, child prostitution, and child sexual abuse material.

Additionally, the UAE introduced two child protection other laws in 2021 and 2023: Federal Decree-Law No. 34 of 2021 on Countering Rumours and Cybercrimes and Federal Decree-Law No. 24 of 2023 on Combating Human Trafficking. The first addresses the misuse of online technologies and prohibits involving children in the creation of child sexual abuse materials, while the latter prohibits human trafficking and imposes harsher penalties for child trafficking.

In conjunction with developing a strong legal framework, the UAE created specialized child protection structures, such as the Ministry of Interior’s Child Protection Centre and the Ministry of Education’s Child Protection Unit. The Child Protection Centre was established in 2011 to develop and regulate initiatives aimed at ensuring the safety and protection of children living in the UAE. The Ministry of Education’s Child Protection Unit is responsible for promoting child protection in public and private schools and safeguarding students from all forms of abuse, whether at school or at home.

Singhateh also pointed out that the UAE adopted policies that promote child protection, including a 2020 partnership between the Ministry of Interior and the UN Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute (UNICRI) Centre for Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Robotics. This partnership aims to promote the use of AI by law enforcement agencies to support investigations into child exploitation and abuse.

However, Singhateh noted that the government still needs to make greater efforts to encourage reporting of violence and sexual abuse against children. She recommended streamlining reporting channels under a single entity and increasing public awareness. Singhateh emphasized that NGOs play a crucial role in supporting government efforts, particularly in raising awareness and providing services. Therefore, she urged the government to offer stronger support to these organizations. Lastly, she called for the implementation of a centralized database to serve as a unified platform for abuse cases.

Singhateh’s statement concludes an eleven-day visit to the UAE, the first since 2009, aimed at examining the protection of children in the UAE. A full report will be presented to the UN Human Rights Council in March 2026.