It guarantees their protection and access to their health, educational and psychological rights
A new alternative care system for children of unknown parentage
Dr. Abdulaziz Al-Hammadi: “There are no legalized legislation and procedures for children of unknown parentage.”
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The Community Development Authority in Dubai revealed the creation of an alternative care system for children of unknown mothers and unknown fathers, in cooperation with Dubai Courts, the Dubai Public Prosecution and the General Administration of Residency and Foreigners Affairs, which aims to provide protection and care for abandoned children and their upbringing in foster families, and to ensure that they obtain their health and educational rights Social and psychological, in accordance with the laws and legislation in force in the UAE, and taking into account the best interest of the child.
The system aims to provide an alternative care environment for children of unknown father, as a result of the abandonment of the biological mother because of her inability to take care of them, because she lacks eligibility or because she is a minor or of people of determination, or other reasons. The system was developed based on the "Wadima" law for the protection of the child, and by making use of the UAE Nationality Law issued in 1972 and its amendments, (Article -2) which grants the child from a citizen mother by virtue of the law and his paternity to his father has not been legally established, the right to obtain nationality.
In addition to setting up a series of simplified and clear procedures for the child to obtain identification papers in accordance with laws and legislation, the care system provides the possibility for the child to return to the care of his biological mother or grant her the right to see him in the event that circumstances change based on the child's right to know his natural family and receive their care (Wadima Law - Article 16), taking into account the interest of the child in this.
The Director of the Family Cohesion Department at the authority, Dr. Abdulaziz Al-Hammadi, pointed out that there are no legislations, laws and procedures specific to this category, and that some children do not obtain their legitimate rights, whether health, educational or legal, such as identity, nationality and passport, in addition to reviewing the cases received by In this regard, the authority noted a deficiency in the psychological support available to the mother and child to deal with his social situation, which necessitated the development of an integrated system to deal with these cases.
He added: “Existing challenges were raised and proposed solutions were discussed with the concerned authorities in the Emirate of Dubai, which showed great cooperation that contributed to the development of an integrated plan for an alternative care system for children of unknown mothers, and we seek to strengthen this system by linking with the concerned authorities at the federal level, including It contributes to reaching integrated legal formulas and codified legislation for this group, inspired by the spirit of laws and legislations. ”
Al-Hammadi called on the foster families registered with the authority to take this category into consideration, and to contribute to granting them the right to a sound upbringing and a decent life in a way that enhances the stability and solidarity of society.
Real risks for the child
The Executive Director of the Development and Social Care Sector at the Authority, Huraiz Al-Murr, said: “In the event that the extended family refuses the child or the biological mother is unable to care for him, then there are real risks to the child, which calls for rapid intervention that provides him with health and social care in principle, and allows him An appropriate caring environment for his upbringing properly, ensuring that he obtains all his rights on the same footing as his peers from children in natural families.
He added that the Child Protection Law (Wadima) grants the right to protection and care for all children on the territory of the state, which calls for the development of appropriate solutions for different cases, whether of unknown parentage, known to the mother, orphans, or others.
The system aims to provide a caring environment for children abandoned by the mother due to her inability to take care of them.