Divorced fathers may take children outside under judge’s discretion, says Sharjah Ruler

His Highness Dr. Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, has instructed Sharjah Judicial Department to leave it to judges to decide whether a divorced father may take his children outside of visitation facilities if this serves their best interests, provided that the father is proven not to have reproved or assaulted them.

He affirmed that the welfare of children must be of paramount importance and that parents have the right to see their children away from pressures.

Sheikh Sultan’s directive came in response to a caller to the Direct Line programme broadcast on Sharjah Broadcasting Authority (SBA) with Mohammed Khalaf, Director General of SBA.

During the conversation, Abu Hamdan, an Emirati, said his ex-wife had kept preventing him from seeing his children until he started seeing them in a room at Sharjah Social Services Department, adding that he felt at that time as if he were a criminal, a prisoner or the like.

Furthermore, he was prevented from taking his children out to visit relatives or for a walk, he said, adding that when he met them, he felt as if he were serving a sentence imposed on him.

Abu Hamdan appealed to HH Ruler of Sharjah to allow him to take his children to outdoor destinations to alleviate the bitter feelings he and others like him had about not being allowed to go out with their children.