Abu Dhabi: The number of abandoned children or the children with unknown parentage increases annually in the UAE with an average 3-4 children monthly, that is 48 cases per year, said Sultan Al Samahi, Federal National Council’s (FNC) rapporteur on health, labour and social affairs committee.
Al Samahi added: “The committee found that the number was increasing as more nationalities entered the country: more single workers meant more illegitimate children.”
He added after consultations with experts, the committee amended the article to state that the child should be taken to either the nearest police station or to a health centre, depending on their health status.”
Mariam Al Roumi, Minister of Social Affairs, said the law does not annul the right of biological parents to the sponsored child.
“The parents will be able to take back the child once a final court ruling is issued and the DNA tests are done. The child will then be registered in the name of the biological parents as per the UAE’s laws.”
According to the law, a person who finds an abandoned child will have to inform the nearest police station, so the child can be officially admitted to a healthcare centre to carry out the necessary tests.
The Public Prosecution will be responsible for transferring the child to an orphanage by coordinating with the Ministry of Social Affairs and Ministry of Interior to provide a name, father’s name, grandfather’s name and surname for the child. The orphanage will then register the child in accordance with current laws in the UAE.
