UAE judicial official condemns domestic violence

Humaid Al-Muhairi called domestic violence a great concern and "always a regrettable event" following controversial ruling.

By ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published: OCTOBER 20, 2010 14:36
Arab women praying311 (photo credit: Illustrative photo: Colorado Springs Gazette/MCT)
Arab women praying311
(photo credit: Illustrative photo: Colorado Springs Gazette/MCT)
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — A senior Emirati judicial official says the UAE does not condone domestic abuse, renewing questions about the issue after the country's highest court ruled that a man can beat his wife and children provided it leaves no physical marks.
The state news agency WAM quoted Humaid al-Muhairi on Wednesday saying Emirati courts "do not tolerate any degree of family violence, whether verbal or physical." He directs the Justice Ministry's judicial inspection department.
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Al-Muhairi called domestic violence a great concern and "always a regrettable event."
The remarks came in the wake of a recent ruling by the UAE's highest judicial body, that a man can beat his wife and young children as long as the beating leaves no physical marks.                                                                     The Federal Supreme Court found a man guilty of beating his wife and adult daughter earlier this month.