Beggars in the UAE will face tougher punishments as the Gulf country mulls a stricter federal anti-begging law draft proposal submitted by police.
The proposed changes to combat begging include increasing fines and prison sentences up to Dh 10,000 and three months in prison if caught begging.
Currently, UAE charges Dh 3,000 in fines and one-month prison sentence for Emiratis, however non-Emiratis face a harsher sentence which includes deportation and banning their entries to the UAE for life.
“We need a Federal law to regulate the penalties for beggars, and stiffer regulations to combat this trend,” Major Gen Khamis al-Mazeina, Dubai deputy police chief told the UAE-based THE NATIONAL newspaper.
“The proposal is being reviewed by the Ministry of Justice,” al-Mazeina added.
However, in the new proposal, Emiratis will be sent for social rehabilitation and occupational training.
Dubai police initiates anti-begging campaigns every Ramadan and this year’s campaign which started on July 25 saw police patrolling targeted areas such as mosques and supermarkets where beggars congregate across Dubai.
Last year, police arrested 618 people on begging charges, the majority during the Holy Month of Ramadan.
Anyone who houses, aids or encourages a person in the act of begging will also face penalties.
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