The U.S. State Department has recently released their annual report on International Child Abduction. Below is our tenth post in a series here focusing on the ten countries classified as “demonstrating patterns of noncompliance.” Today’s country is United Arab Emirates.
Country Summary: The United Arab Emirates does not adhere to any protocols with
respect to international parental child abduction. In 2019, the United Arab Emirates
continued to demonstrate a pattern of noncompliance. Specifically, the competent
authorities in the United Arab Emirates persistently failed to work with the Department of
State to resolve abduction cases. As a result of this failure, 67 percent of requests for the
return of abducted children remained unresolved for more than 12 months. On average,
these cases were unresolved for four years and four months. The United Arab
Emirates was previously cited for demonstrating a pattern of noncompliance in the 2018
and 2019 Annual Reports.
Central Authority: Central Authority: In 2019, the competent authorities in the United Arab Emirates
regularly failed to work with the Department of State toward the resolution of pending
abduction cases. Moreover, the competent authorities have failed to resolve cases due to a
lack of viable legal options, which contributed to a pattern of noncompliance.
Voluntary Resolution: In 2019, one abduction case was resolved through voluntary
means.
Location: The Department of State did not request assistance with location from Emirati authorities.
Judicial Authorities: The United States is not aware of any abduction cases brought before or decided by the Emirati judiciary in 2019.
Enforcement: The United States is not aware of any abduction cases in which a judicial order relating to international parental child abduction needed to be enforced by the Emirati authorities.
Department Recommendations: The Department will continue to encourage the United Arab Emirates to accede to the Convention.
Location: The Department of State did not request assistance with location from Emirati authorities.
Judicial Authorities: The United States is not aware of any abduction cases brought before or decided by the Emirati judiciary in 2019.
Enforcement: The United States is not aware of any abduction cases in which a judicial order relating to international parental child abduction needed to be enforced by the Emirati authorities.
Department Recommendations: The Department will continue to encourage the United Arab Emirates to accede to the Convention.