The U.S. State Department has recently released their annual report on International Child Abduction. Below is our ninth post in a series here focusing on the nine 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 2018, the United Arab Emirates demonstrated 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, 100 percent of requests for the return of abducted children remained unresolved for more than 12 months. On average, these cases were unresolved for two years and seven months. The United Arab Emirates was previously cited for demonstrating a pattern of noncompliance in the 2018 Annual Report.

Initial Inquiries: In 2018 the Department received two initial inquiries from parents regarding possible abductions to the United Arab Emirates for which no additional assistance was requested or necessary documentation was not received as of December 31, 2018. 

Central Authority: In 2018, the competent authorities in the United Arab Emirates regularly failed to work with the Department of State toward the resolution of pending abduction cases due to a lack of viable legal options, which contributed to a pattern of noncompliance.

Location: The Department of State did not request assistance with location from Emirati authorities.

Judicial Authorities: There is no clear legal procedure for addressing international parental child abduction cases under Emirati law, and parents face difficulties resolving custody disputes in local

courts.

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.