UN Expert Visits UAE to Assess Progress on Child Protection and Sexual Exploitation

A senior United Nations human rights expert concluded an 11-day official visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) this week to evaluate the country’s efforts to combat the sale, sexual exploitation and sexual abuse of children. The visit took place from 14 to 24 April 2025, during which the expert met with government officials, civil society representatives and child protection specialists to review legal frameworks, institutional safeguards and victim support systems.

The expert, Ms. Mama Fatima Singhateh, the UN Special Rapporteur on the Sale, Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse of Children, conducted the visit at the invitation of the UAE government. She is mandated by the UN Human Rights Council to assess national responses to child exploitation, identify gaps and offer recommendations to improve child protection in line with international human rights standards.

During a press statement marking the end of her visit in Abu Dhabi, Ms. Singhateh commended the UAE for significant progress in strengthening child rights and protection mechanisms since the last Special Rapporteur visit in 2009. She noted that developments in national legislation and child welfare infrastructure indicate a strong state commitment to preventing and responding to child exploitation and abuse.

“The UAE has made remarkable strides in promoting and protecting child rights, aligned with international standards,” Singhateh said, highlighting legislative reforms and institutional initiatives designed to safeguard children from harm.

Among the legal advances praised by the expert is the UAE’s ratification of the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography, and the passage of a comprehensive child protection law known as Wadeema’s Law (Federal Law No. 3 of 2016). These instruments provide a robust framework for prevention, criminalization of abuse, and victim support, according to officials and observers.

Ms. Singhateh visited multiple child care and support facilities across several Emirates, including shelters for victims of abuse, rehabilitation centres and specialist NGOs. She also engaged with local organisations working on child rights and met directly with survivors of exploitation and their families to better understand the challenges on the ground.

Despite the positive assessment, the Special Rapporteur emphasized that continued efforts are needed to encourage reporting of sexual exploitation and improve public awareness. She urged the UAE to further streamline reporting mechanisms, expand outreach programmes and strengthen collaboration with civil society to ensure that victims can access justice and rehabilitation services without fear of stigma or reprisal.

Ms. Singhateh’s full findings and recommendations will be compiled into an official report to be presented to the UN Human Rights Council in March 2026, forming part of the international review process on state compliance with child protection obligations.

The visit comes amid growing global attention to child sexual exploitation and trafficking, especially in contexts where rapid economic development and migration intersect with vulnerable populations. UAE officials reaffirmed their commitment to international cooperation and ongoing reforms aimed at strengthening national child protection systems.