Community service gets a big push in Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi - The newly-established public prosecution proposed community service as a punishment for some offences

Shortly after stunt drivers in Dubai were assigned to perform community service, Abu Dhabi has also formed a new public prosecution to deal with minor offences. 
The newly-established public prosecution proposed community service as a punishment for some offences, instead of detention for a period no less than six months and a fine.
Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, in his capacity as the Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department (ADJD), issued a resolution on Wednesday forming the new legal entity.
It is part of an effort to enforce a 2016 federal law, which amended some provisions of the Federal Penal Code. 
Abu Dhabi Attorney-General Ali Mohammed Al Balushi said the new legal body fell within the prosecution's mandate to represent the community as well as to preserve its well-being and interests through enforcement of the rule of law.
In a similar sentiment, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE, and Ruler of Dubai, last week ordered the driver of an SUV and his two friends, who performed stunts with their car on City Walk, to do community service, which includes cleaning the streets four hours daily for 30 days.
The incident, which was caught on camera, went viral and drew widespread criticism from people before the police swiftly arrested the Emirati men and filed cases against them in addition to the community service. By introducing community service, the UAE leadership is showing that even minor incidents will be taken seriously to preserve the safety of the community.
The Abu Dhabi resolution underscored the ADJD chairman's commitment to creating an integrated judicial system that caters to ever-expanding judicial and legal requirements and is in sync with the best international practices, Yousef Al Abri, Under-Secretary of the Judicial Department, said.
sherouk@khaleejtimes.com

• Abu Dhabi