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.