UAE Criminal Law and UAE Penal Code

UAE an advance and secure country is flexing its muscles to provide world class services to international visitors as well as to local citizens, expats and workers.

Yes, UAE especially Dubai and Abu Dhabi is in the Top Ten best touring and safest destinations across the globe. Dubai Metro, RTA Public transport system, World class Airports & Airlines, internationally accredited Hospitals, advance technology, IT infrastructure, Shopping malls, Schools, colleges and Universities are the signs of their success.

UAE Criminal Law:
Along with above exceptional services, UAE is working hard to control over wrong things such as illegal entrance and exit, Promoting terrorism, importing pornographic materials, even they are working for pets.

So, The Government of UAE recently introduced changes to the UAE Penal Code in a new decree issued by President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

Here’s a look at what changed for us:

1: UAE Minor offences:

Violators will be sentenced to community service of up to 3 months instead of jail terms. The community service will include cleaning the streets and other voluntary work determined by the Minister of Justice in agreement with the ministers of Interior and Emiratisation and Human Resources. This law is just started in November 2016.

2: Crimes committed in state of war:

A UAE citizen who joins the armed forces or security institutions of an enemy in a state of war will be given the death penalty.

3: Acts of terror:

Anyone who commits a crime to undermine the sovereignty, independence and integrity of the nation will be given the death penalty.

4: Harming diplomatic relations:

Anyone who purposely harms the diplomatic relations of the country or endanger its citizens and interest will be sentenced to life in jail.

5: Insulting the president:

Anyone caught insulting the UAE president will be given a jail sentence of 15 years to 25 years and a fine.

6: Setting up a terror group:

Anyone who sets up, runs or joins a terror group will be sentenced to death or life in jail.

Plotting to overthrow government.

Anyone who sets up, runs or join any organization, group or gang plotting to overthrow the government and seize power in the UAE will be given a death sentence or life in jail.

7: Promoting anti-government or terror groups:

Anyone caught promoting anti-government or terrorist groups will be sentenced to spend time in jail from 15 years up to 25 years.

8: Enticing sedition:

Anyone caught abusing religion to entice sedition will be given a jail sentence of not less than 10 years.

9: Insulting the UAE, its flag, national logo, leadership or institutions:

Violators will be given a jail term ranging between 10 and 25 years and a fine of at least Dh500, 000.

10: Publishing Fake News, Rumors:

Publishing false news, statements or rumors with a purpose of terrifying the people or harming public interest, violators will be sentenced to 1 year in jail.

11: Pornographic Material:

Making, importing, exporting or possessing pornographic material, Violators will spend time in jail for up to 3 years and/or will be fined Dh5, 000.

12: Gambling:

Violators will be given a prison term of up to two years or a fine of up to Dh50, 000.

13: Gambling in public:

Violators will be sentenced to 3 years in prison.

14: Prostitution and abuse:

Anyone setting up or running prostitution den will be given a prison sentence and fined

at least Dh100, 000.

15: Swearing or using abusive language:

Violators will be given a jail term of up to one year and a fine of up to Dh10, 000.

16: Swearing at a public office:

Violators will be given a 2-year prison term and/or a fine of up to Dh20, 000.

17: Pets:

Torturing, mistreating or failing to provide due care to a pet, violators will be fined Dh5, 000.

18: Trespassing:

Anyone caught trespassing will be sentenced to jail of up to 1 year or fined up to Dh5, 000.

19: Skipping bill payments:

Anyone who ignored or skipped bill payments will be sentenced to jail of up to 6 months and/or fined up to Dh5, 000.

20: Wives and children can take domestic abusers to court:
Regardless of the Sharia law, victims of abuse can now take their abusers to court. Prior to the new code, domestic violence cases were carried out within the limits of the country’s interpretation of Islamic Sharia. Sharia strictly prohibits hitting the face and causing any scars.

Tag: UAE Criminal Law and UAE Penal Code