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Reconciliation in families on the rise

Mohammed Rustom Buabdullah, Chief Prosecutor of the Family and Juveniles Prosecution said that family cases are the most common. “Juvenile cases are mostly about assault and theft while family cases revolve around insult and assault.

Since the Prosecution was established more than a year ago, the reconciliation among family cases, which was just 40 per cent, jumped to 56.5 per cent in 2010.”

Role of women prosecutors

According to Thuraya Al Zarooni, prosecutor at the Family and Juvenile Prosecution, a woman is more capable of understanding the child with her social and psychological skills.

“The child is the nucleus of the family. If the child was involved in a crime then the whole family is affected,” she said. Al Zarooni pointed out that the difficulties she faced being a prosecutor revolved basically around the profession itself rather than around gender. “Even though the woman’s work as a prosecutor is new and not common in the Gulf countries we have adequate and necessary educational skills to deal with cases pertaining to family and juveniles,” said Al Zarooni.

“We have studied law and psychology and that enables us to understand the child better. Our main aim is to protect the victims and their rights.”

Seventeen women prosecutors have graduated so far in two batches from the Dubai Judicial Institute including five who have joined the Family and Juveniles Prosecution.

Family Court

The Family Court was established in the middle of last year upon a proposal from the prosecution in coordination with the Chief Justice of the Criminal Court, Ahmed Saif. The Court gives ample time for reconciliation between the parties.

Even after family cases are referred to the Family Court, the Judge will not spare any effort to bring about a reconciliation between the parties, which is one of the aims of the court’s establishment.

Reasons behind the cases

Parents’ negligence and indifference are found to be the main causes for juvenile delinquency. Fights between parents and bad companionship come next. For family cases, the causes include lack of love and respect, polygamy and lack of faith. Buabdullah, who has been in the field for 15 years, has had experience in pretty much all prosecutions and police work. For him, his post at the Family and Juvenile Prosecution is most challenging, considering the nature and sensitivity of the case.

According to the Law of Delinquent and Homeless Juveniles, the judge may order the deposition of the juveniles at a special social care establishment if he is below 16. If he is above 16, the judge may order his jail for a period not exceeding 10 years.

Among the outstanding partners of the Family and Juveniles Prosecution stand the Dubai Establishment for Women and Children, Juvenile Care Association and the Ministry for Social Affairs.

At A Glance

The prosecution handled 306 juvenile cases and 348 family cases and 11 joint cases.

In 2010, 470 juveniles were involved in cases of which 431 boys and 39 girls

According to the Law of Delinquent and Homeless Juveniles, the judge may order the deposition of the juvenile at a special social care if he is below 16. If he is above 16, the judge may order his jail for a period not exceeding 10 years.

mary@khaleejtimes.com

• UAE