All You Need to Know About the Fines for

Coddling Delinquent Minors in the UAE

Author: Dr. Hassan Elhais

Introduction

The protection of children's rights and their well-being is of paramount importance in the United Arab
Emirates (UAE).

To ensure the welfare of minors, the UAE government has established robust legal frameworks, including
Federal Law No. (6) of 2022 Concerning Juvenile Delinquents and Those at Risk of Delinquency and
Federal Law No. 3 of 2016 On Child Rights, commonly known as Wadeema's Law.

This legislation aims to strike a balance between providing care and support for children while holding them
accountable for their actions. Moreover, it addresses the crucial issue of coddling delinquent minors, wherein
individuals or authorities shield juveniles from the consequences of their actions, potentially hindering their
rehabilitation and integration into society.

Federal Law No. (6) of 2022 Concerning Juvenile Delinquents and Those at Risk of Delinquency:

Federal Law No. (6) of 2022 is a comprehensive legislation designed to safeguard the rights of juveniles in
the UAE. It emphasizes early intervention and support to prevent juveniles from engaging in criminal
behaviour. The law also addresses the issue of coddling delinquent minors, recognizing that such practices
can be detrimental to a juvenile's development and accountability.

Rights Guaranteed Under Federal Law No. (6) of 2022:

Article 1 of the law defines a juvenile as an individual who has reached the age of seven and is below the
age of eighteen. This legislation ensures that every juvenile, irrespective of their background, is entitled to
certain rights and protections. These rights encompass access to education, healthcare, protection from
abuse, and the right to be treated fairly without any discrimination.

Identification of Those at Risk of Delinquency:

Federal Law No. (6) of 2022 prioritizes the identification and intervention of juveniles at risk of
delinquency. It acknowledges that certain circumstances, such as unstable family environments, exposure to
violence, neglect, or substance abuse, may increase the likelihood of juveniles engaging in delinquent
behaviour. To address this concern, the law mandates the establishment of specialized committees
responsible for evaluating risk factors and devising suitable intervention programs for at-risk juveniles.

Threats to Juvenile Integrity and Well-being:

The law identifies various threats to a juvenile's physical, psychological, moral, or mental integrity,
necessitating protection. These threats include neglect, abuse, exploitation, or involvement in criminal
activities. By identifying and addressing these challenges, the law aims to ensure the safety and well-being
of juveniles in the UAE.

Fines for Coddling Delinquent Minors under Federal Law No. (6) of 2022:

Coddling delinquent minors is a serious offence under Federal Law No. (6) of 2022, and the law imposes
fines on individuals engaged in such practices. The pertinent articles related to these fines are as follows:

Article (40): Whoever delivers a juvenile and refuses to present him to the competent authorities upon their
request or deliberately refrains from following up on the follow-up care programs shall be punished with a
fine of not less than AED 5,000 and not exceeding AED 30,000.

Article (41): Whoever harbours a juvenile delinquent, incites him to violate the law, or helps him to do so,
shall be punished by imprisonment and a fine of no less than AED 50,000.

Article (42): This article outlines various penalties based on different scenarios, such as helping or inciting a
juvenile to commit delinquency, preparing a juvenile to commit a crime, or using coercion or threat against a
juvenile. The fines range from AED 50,000 to AED 200,000, and imprisonment periods vary depending on
the severity of the offence.

Article (43): Anyone who publishes, without permission, the name and pictures of the delinquent juvenile or
publishes the facts of the investigation or trial shall be punished by imprisonment for no less than one year
and a fine of no less than AED 50,000.

Federal Law No. 3 of 2016 On Child Rights (Wadeema's Law):

Wadeema's Law is a comprehensive legislation specifically dedicated to protecting the rights of children in
the UAE. It addresses the issue of coddling delinquent minors and ensures that every child has all the rights
outlined within its provisions.

Rights Guaranteed Under Wadeema's Law:

Article 1 of Wadeema's Law defines a child as every human being born alive and who is under the age of
eighteen years. The law ensures that every child has all the rights outlined within its provisions and under
other legislations enforced in the UAE. Importantly, the law ensures that children are protected without
discrimination based on factors such as origin, sex, home country, religion, social status, or disability.

Threats to the Child's Integrity:

The law identifies various threats to a child's physical, psychological, moral, or mental integrity, requiring
protection under the law. These threats encompass situations such as loss of parental care, neglect, rejection,
homelessness, abuse, exploitation, exposure to harmful ideologies, child begging, economic exploitation,
and kidnapping or trafficking.

Wadeema's Law also addresses the importance of addressing psychological or mental disabilities that may
affect a child's well-being.

Fines for Coddling Delinquent Minors under Wadeema's Law:

Wadeema's Law imposes fines on individuals who engage in coddling practices to discourage actions that
might negatively impact a child's future and discourage individuals from shielding delinquent minors from
accountability.

The specific fines for coddling delinquent minors include violations related to the sale of tobacco or tobacco
products to children, smoking in the presence of a child, selling alcoholic beverages to children, and
circulating child pornography materials. Violators may face imprisonment and fines ranging from AED
15,000 to AED 1,000,000, depending on the severity of the offence.

Conclusion:

The UAE's commitment to protecting the rights and welfare of children is evident through its robust legal
frameworks, which include Federal Law No. 3 of 2016 On Child Rights (Wadeema's Law) and Federal Law
No. (6) of 2022 Concerning Juvenile Delinquents and Those at Risk of Delinquency.

These laws prioritize the well-being of children and aim to strike a balance between providing care and
support while holding them accountable for their actions.

By imposing fines for coddling delinquent minors, the UAE underscores the importance of discouraging
practices that hinder a child's rehabilitation and integration into society.

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