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Abu Dhabi: Begging and unauthorized fundraising of any kind is strictly prohibited in the UAE. These activities tend to spike during Ramadan, as lawbreakers try to take advantage of the generosity of residents during Ramadan.
To address the issue, authorities have issued new warnings over the past month, with various penalties spelled out by the UAE Public Prosecution.
Individual begging, organized begging and even unauthorized fundraising are punishable under the UAE criminal law.
“Begging is an uncivilized behavior. Let’s help each other, eliminate begging, help [the deserving through authorised channels]said the prosecutor.
Instead, residents are encouraged to donate funds and physical items through authorized channels, ensuring the safety and privacy of donors while also ensuring that donations reach those in need.
personal punishment
The least serious offense involves personal begging. However, this also includes imprisonment for offenders.
“Anyone who commits the offense of begging by soliciting material benefit in any form or by any means shall be punished with imprisonment not exceeding three months and a fine of not less than Dh5,000,” the UAE prosecutor said.
Any of the following circumstances shall be severely punished:
- – If the individual does not have a physical disability
- – If the individual has a source of income
- – If the person is pretending to be disabled or injured
- – If the individual’s claim to use the raised funds proves to be a false service
- – If there is any kind of deception to elicit sympathy
Article 475 of Federal Decree No. 31 of 2021 on Offenses and Penalties outlines the penalties.
organized begging
Individuals involved in organized begging are subject to harsher penalties.
“Whoever administers the crime of organized begging committed by an organized group of two or more persons shall be punished with imprisonment for not less than six months and a fine of not less than Dh100,000,” the Public Prosecution Authority said in its expressed on social media platforms.
“The same penalties apply to anyone who outsources personnel to the UAE as they use them in organized begging crimes,” it added.
Penalties are outlined in Article 476 of the UAE Penal Code. The law also imposes a fine of Dh5,000 and possible imprisonment for individuals involved in organized begging.
child exploitation
Exploitation of children in begging is considered a serious crime.
According to Articles 38 and 68 of Federal Law No. 3 of 2016 on the Rights of the Child, the following violations are prohibited:
- – take advantage of children in begging
- – recruitment of children where it is illegal
- – assigning children to work that interferes with education or is detrimental to physical, emotional, moral or mental health or safety
“Anyone who violates this regulation shall be sentenced to imprisonment and/or to a fine of not less than Dh20,000. If the work poses a danger to the life of a child under the age of 15 or his physical, mental or moral safety, he shall [be considered an aggravating circumstance] Severe punishment is demanded,” the public prosecution agency said.
unauthorized fundraising
Fundraising without the correct license is also considered a crime. Violators will be jailed or fined up to Dh500,000.
Anyone who creates, manages or supervises a website, or publishes information on an information network, or promotes or facilitates fundraising by any means of information technology without the authorization or permission of the competent authority, or in violation of the terms of the license, shall be punished by criminal detention and fined A fine of less than Dh200,000 and not more than Dh500,000, or one of these two penalties
– public prosecution
These penalties are detailed in Article 46 of Federal Law No. 34 of 2021 on Combating Rumors and Cybercrime.
Last year, Abu Dhabi police said such online fundraising was often more lucrative for criminals and warned residents not to fall prey to them.
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