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No arrest in front of families for minor crimes in Sharjah

The Sharjah Police have been told not to arrest anyone guilty of a minor crime in front of their families, as the first in a series of suburban majlises (councils) in Sharjah opens.

His Highness Dr Shaikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, who inaugurated the majlis at Mughaidar in Al Tala District on Thursday morning, said the councils were to be a safe haven for people to approach officials directly about their concerns.

“We have always been dreaming of such outskirts majlises, and only today the dream has come true with the Mughaidar majlis, the first in a series to follow.” He added that the rationale behind such councils is to more efficiently fulfil people’s needs in terms of property, housing and other similar issues.

“We...want these councils to enhance communication between officials and all members of the society.”

Shaikh Sultan said there were many critical grounds behind the institution of these councils. “We’d like to protect people’s dignity, particularly home, in front of their wives and children.”

Some people may make mistakes or do something wrong and hence the law enforcement bodies get involved, and arrest the wrongdoer in front of his family members. “Such kind of disgrace is not acceptable and does dishonour people.” Dr Shaikh Sultan said this should not happen in the case of minor crimes, such as bounced cheques or failure to pay loans or debts. “These are not big crimes such as murder, robberies and being a fugitive.” The police have been instructed never to storm any person’s house or arrest them before their family in these minor cases and violations. “Instead, the people in charge of these suburb councils need to interfere and talk to all parties concerned to amicably find a way out.”

Shaikh Sultan said some people got angry about bad odour rising from their neighbours’ houses because of the sheep and cattle they were raising. “The suburban councils must interfere to protect neighbours’ rights and (there is) no need for police to interfere,” he said, indicating that people may also submit their comments and suggestions to the competent and prudent officials there to make the process more effective.

Present at the inauguration were Shaikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Sharjah, and Shaikh Abdullah bin Salem bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Deputy Ruler of Sharjah. - ahmedshaaban@khaleejtimes.com