ABU DHABI // Senior citizens need protection from domestic violence, a Federal National Council member will argue this week.
At an FNC session on Tuesday, Mohammed bin Ham (Abu Dhabi) will ask the Minister of Social Affairs, Mariam Al Roumi, about the rights of elderly people.
He said they were not protected under law once their families no longer wanted to look after them, making them “easy prey” for unscrupulous hired help.
This was highlighted recently when a man in Dibba, Fujairah, was found to have been a victim of elder abuse by his housemaid.
Despite a nationwide 2013-2017 plan to provide elderly citizens with health services and other benefits – including a steady income – there has been no action so far, said Dr bin Ham.
He said there were 95 citizens who had been victims of financial exploitation while living alone with domestic workers.
During the session, Dr bin Ham will call for a law to prevent this exploitation.
Other ministers scheduled to take the stand include Dr Anwar Gargash, Minister of State for FNC Affairs, Hussain Al Hamadi, Minister of Education, and Sultan Al Badi, Minister of Justice.
Sultan Al Shamsi (Ajman) plans to ask Mr Al Badi to form a committee to review the Dh200,000 in blood money required in accidental deaths.
He said according to Islamic teaching, blood money should be equivalent to the cost of 100 camel heads but it changes over time to keep up to date with current prices.
He said this meant the 1991 law that established the Dh200,000 figure should be revised.
Mr Al Badi will also be questioned by Ahmed Al Shamsi (Ajman) about a provision on custody and guardianship in Law 28 of 2005, of the Personal Affairs Law. Mr Al Shamsi would not comment further on the issue until the session convened.
Rashad Bukhash (Dubai) will question Mr Al Hamadi about the changes to the education system. He said each time a new minister came in, the education system also changed.
He suggested that a strategic plan should be drawn up for at least a decade, to ensure education programmes were not disrupted.
The plan should be studied and approved by the Cabinet before it was rolled out, he said.
Dr Gargash will face two questions from members, the first on Etisalat’s sponsorship of Barcelona Football Club and the other, on spreading awareness of the FNC to the public.
During the second part of the session, members will debate a bill on protecting the country’s antiquities.
The public session will be held at the FNC headquarters in Abu Dhabi starting at 9am.
osalem@thenational.ae
