No, corporal punishment against children is prohibited under UAE’s Child Rights Law (Federal Decree-Law No. 3 of 2016), which aligns with the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. Violations may trigger penalties under the Penal Code or administrative sanctions from the Ministry of Community Development. Recent 2026 amendments to child protection guidelines further criminalize violent disciplinary methods, including spanking, with mandatory reporting to authorities.
Key Regulations for Spanking Your Child in United Arab Emirates
- Federal Decree-Law No. 3 of 2016 (Wadeema’s Law): Explicitly bans all forms of physical punishment, classifying it as child abuse under Article 6. Violations risk imprisonment up to 10 years if severe injury occurs.
- Ministry of Community Development (MCD) Circulars (2025-2026): Mandate licensed childcare facilities and schools to report any spanking incidents to the MCD’s Child Protection Center within 24 hours.
- Penal Code (Federal Law No. 3 of 1987) Amendments: Introduce aggravated penalties for parents or guardians using spanking as discipline, including fines up to AED 50,000 and mandatory parenting courses.