Editing United Arab Emirates (section)

== Government and politics ==
{{Main|Politics of the United Arab Emirates}}

{{multiple image
| caption_align     = center
| width1            = 172
| image1            = His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, at Hyderabad House, in New Delhi on February 11, 2016.jpg
| caption1          = [[Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan]]<br /><small>[[President of the United Arab Emirates|President]] since 2022</small>
| width2            = 151
| image2            = Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (15-02-2021) (cropped).jpg
| caption2          = [[Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum]]<br /><small>[[List of Prime Ministers of the United Arab Emirates|Prime Minister]] and<br />[[Vice President of the United Arab Emirates|Vice President]] since 2006</small>
}}

=== Government ===
The United Arab Emirates is a [[Federation|federal]] [[constitutional monarchy]] made up from a federation of seven [[Hereditary monarchy|hereditary]] tribal [[monarchy]]-styled political units called [[Sheikhdom]]s. It is governed by a [[Federal Supreme Council]] made up of the ruling Sheikhs of [[Abu Dhabi (emirate)|Abu Dhabi]], [[Emirate of Ajman|Ajman]], [[Emirate of Fujairah|Fujairah]], [[Sharjah (emirate)|Sharjah]], [[Emirate of Dubai|Dubai]], [[Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah|Ras Al Khaimah]], and [[Emirate of Umm Al Quwain|Umm Al Quwain]]. All responsibilities not granted to the federal government are reserved to the individual emirate.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.uaeinteract.com/government/political_system.asp#B|title=UAE Government: Political system|work=UAEinteract|access-date=12 February 2016|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160213062650/http://www.uaeinteract.com/government/political_system.asp#B|archive-date=13 February 2016}}</ref> A percentage{{Quantify|date=December 2023}} of revenues from each emirate is allocated to the UAE's central budget.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.uaeinteract.com/government/political_system.asp |title=UAE Government: Political system |work=UAEinteract |access-date=12 February 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160213062650/http://www.uaeinteract.com/government/political_system.asp |archive-date=13 February 2016 }}</ref>

The UAE uses the title [[Sheikh]] instead of [[Emir]] to refer to the rulers of individual emirates. The title is used due to the [[sheikhdom]] styled governing system in adherence to the culture of [[tribes of Arabia]], where Sheikh means leader, elder, or the tribal chief of the clan who partakes in shared decision making with his followers. The [[President of the United Arab Emirates|president]] and [[Vice President of the United Arab Emirates|vice president]] are elected by the [[Federal Supreme Council]]. Usually, the Head of the [[House of Nahyan|Al Nahyan]] family, who are based in Abu Dhabi, holds the presidency and the Head of the [[House of Maktoum|Al Maktoum]] family, based in Dubai, the prime ministership. All prime ministers but one have served concurrently as vice president.
The federal government is composed of three branches:
* [[Legislature|Legislative]]: A [[unicameralism|unicameral]] [[Federal Supreme Council]] and the [[advisory board|advisory]] [[Federal National Council]] (FNC).
* [[Executive (government)|Executive]]: The [[President of UAE|President]], who is also [[commander-in-chief]] of the military, the [[List of Prime Ministers of the United Arab Emirates|prime minister]], and the [[Cabinet of the United Arab Emirates|Council of Ministers]].
* [[Judiciary|Judicial]]: The [[Federal Supreme Court of the United Arab Emirates|Supreme Court]] and lower federal courts.

[[File:Palacio Presidencial de los Emiratos, sede del Poder Ejecutivo Nacional..jpg|thumb|left|Entrance to [[Qasr Al Watan]], the presidential palace in Abu Dhabi.]]

The [[E-Government in the United Arab Emirates|UAE e-Government]] is the extension of the UAE federal government in its electronic form.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://government.ae/en/web/guest/service-channels|title=Service Channels – The UAE Government Official Portal|author=UAE federal eGovernment|access-date=8 September 2014|archive-date=27 August 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140827092351/http://government.ae/en/web/guest/service-channels|url-status=live}}</ref> The UAE's [[Cabinet of the United Arab Emirates|Council of Ministers]] ({{langx|ar|مجلس الوزراء}}) is the chief executive branch of the government presided over by the prime minister. The prime minister, who is appointed by the [[Federal Supreme Council]], appoints the ministers. The Council of Ministers is made up of 22 members and manages all internal and foreign affairs of the federation under its constitutional and federal law.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.uaecabinet.ae/source/PMO%20Moca%20Manual%202010.pdf|title=دليل أعمال نظام مجلس الوزراء|publisher=United Arab Emirates Cabinet|date=January 2010|access-date=11 April 2019|archive-date=12 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190412150241/https://www.uaecabinet.ae/source/PMO%20Moca%20Manual%202010.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> In December 2019,<ref>{{cite web |title=Monthly ranking of women in national parliaments |url=https://data.ipu.org/women-ranking?month=12&year=2019 |website=ipu.org |publisher=Inter-Parliamentary Union |access-date=19 February 2022 |location=Switzerland |archive-date=19 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220219203648/https://data.ipu.org/women-ranking?month=12&year=2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> the UAE became the only Arab country, and one of only five countries in the world, to attain [[gender parity]] in a national legislative body, with its lower house 50 per cent women.<ref>{{cite web |title=Monthly ranking of women in national parliaments |url=https://data.ipu.org/women-ranking?month=1&year=2022 |website=ipu.org |publisher=Inter-Parliamentary Union |access-date=19 February 2022 |location=Switzerland |archive-date=19 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220219025029/https://data.ipu.org/women-ranking?month=1&year=2022 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Proportion of women parliamentarians worldwide reaches 'all-time high' |url=https://news.un.org/en/story/2021/03/1086582 |website=UN.org |publisher=United Nations |access-date=19 February 2022 |date=5 March 2021 |archive-date=19 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220219210314/https://news.un.org/en/story/2021/03/1086582 |url-status=live }}</ref>

The UAE is the only country in the world that has a [[Ministry of Tolerance]],<ref>{{cite news|url=http://wam.ae/en/details/1395302752575|title=UAE's tolerance model has 'potential to become a global movement for good': Sheikh Nahyan|publisher=Emirates News Agency|date=4 February 2019|access-date=11 April 2019|archive-date=11 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190411010142/http://wam.ae/en/details/1395302752575|url-status=live}}</ref> a [[Ministry of Happiness]],<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://fortune.com/2016/02/10/uae-minister-happiness/|title=This Country Just Appointed a Minister Of Happiness|magazine=Fortune.com|date=10 February 2016|access-date=11 April 2019|archive-date=11 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190411010141/http://fortune.com/2016/02/10/uae-minister-happiness/|url-status=live}}</ref> and a Ministry of Artificial Intelligence.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://futurism.com/uae-minister-artificial-intelligence|title=An Inside Look at the First Nation With a State Minister for Artificial Intelligence|publisher=Futurism.com|date=11 December 2017|access-date=11 April 2019|archive-date=11 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190411010141/https://futurism.com/uae-minister-artificial-intelligence|url-status=live}}</ref> The UAE also has a virtual ministry called the Ministry of Possibilities, designed to find solutions to challenges and improve quality of life.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://u.ae/en/about-the-uae/the-uae-government/ministry-of-possibilities|title=Ministry of Possibilities|publisher=U.AE|date=24 September 2019|access-date=28 March 2024|archive-date=8 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231208032123/https://u.ae/en/about-the-uae/the-uae-government/ministry-of-possibilities|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://uaecabinet.ae/en/details/news/mohammed-bin-rashid-launches-ministry-of-possibilities-to-develop-radical-solutions-for-governments-key-challenges|title=Mohammed bin Rashid Launches 'Ministry of Possibilities' to Develop Radical Solutions for Government's Key Challenges|publisher=UAE Cabinet|date=2020|access-date=28 March 2024|archive-date=27 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210727143056/https://uaecabinet.ae/en/details/news/mohammed-bin-rashid-launches-ministry-of-possibilities-to-develop-radical-solutions-for-governments-key-challenges|url-status=live}}</ref> The UAE also has a [[National Youth Council]], which is represented in the UAE cabinet by the Minister of Youth.<ref>{{cite web|title = Women shining in new UAE Cabinet – Khaleej Times|url = http://www.khaleejtimes.com/nation/government/shaikh-mohammed-to-announce-new-cabinet-today|website = www.khaleejtimes.com|access-date = 11 February 2016|archive-date = 11 February 2016|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160211095401/http://www.khaleejtimes.com/nation/government/shaikh-mohammed-to-announce-new-cabinet-today|url-status = live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://uaecabinet.ae/en/details/news/why-ministers-for-happiness-tolerance-youth-and-the-future|title=Why Ministries for Happiness, Tolerance, Youth and the Future?|publisher=United Arab Emirates Cabinet|access-date=11 April 2019|archive-date=11 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190411010145/https://uaecabinet.ae/en/details/news/why-ministers-for-happiness-tolerance-youth-and-the-future|url-status=live}}</ref>

The UAE legislative body is the [[Federal National Council]] which convenes nationwide elections every four years. The FNC consists of 40 members drawn from all the emirates. Each emirate is allocated specific seats to ensure full representation. Half are appointed by the rulers of the constituent emirates, and the other half are elected by a small percentage of Emirati citizens, currently 33%, hand-picked by the rulers of each emirate.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2023-07-10 |title=Federal National Council elections to take place on October 7 |language=en |website=The National |url=https://www.thenationalnews.com/uae/government/2023/07/10/federal-national-council-elections-to-take-place-on-october-7/}}</ref> By law, the council members have to be equally divided between males and females. The FNC is restricted to a largely [[:wikt:consultation|consultative]] role.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://u.ae/en/about-the-uae/the-uae-government/the-federal-national-council-|title=The Federal National Council|publisher=U.AE|date=3 February 2020|access-date=28 March 2024|archive-date=22 September 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230922121108/https://u.ae/en/about-the-uae/the-uae-government/the-federal-national-council-|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.government.ae/gov/en/gov/federal/politics.jsp |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051027123241/http://www.government.ae/gov/en/gov/federal/politics.jsp |url-status=dead |archive-date=27 October 2005 |title=UAE Federal e-Government Portal |publisher=Government.ae }}</ref><ref>[https://www.thenational.ae/uae/government/sheikh-khalifa-uae-s-federal-national-council-to-be-50-per-cent-women-1.800357 Sheikh Khalifa: UAE's Federal National Council to be 50 per cent women] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190410140306/https://www.thenational.ae/uae/government/sheikh-khalifa-uae-s-federal-national-council-to-be-50-per-cent-women-1.800357 |date=10 April 2019 }} The National, 8 December 2018</ref>

The United Arab Emirates is an authoritarian [[federal monarchy]].<ref name=":22">{{Cite journal |last=Herb |first=Michael |date=2009 |title=A Nation of Bureaucrats: Political Participation and Economic Diversification in Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates |url=https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/international-journal-of-middle-east-studies/article/abs/nation-of-bureaucrats-political-participation-and-economic-diversification-in-kuwait-and-the-united-arab-emirates/E3527822940D0E8A2BCD98A320002C3E |url-status=live |journal=International Journal of Middle East Studies |language=en |volume=41 |issue=3 |pages=375–395 |doi=10.1017/S0020743809091119 |issn=1471-6380 |s2cid=154366494 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210526174658/https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/international-journal-of-middle-east-studies/article/abs/nation-of-bureaucrats-political-participation-and-economic-diversification-in-kuwait-and-the-united-arab-emirates/E3527822940D0E8A2BCD98A320002C3E |archive-date=26 May 2021 |access-date=28 March 2024}}</ref><ref name=":4">{{Cite book |last=Ledstrup |first=Martin |url=https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-319-91653-8 |title=Nationalism and Nationhood in the United Arab Emirates |date=2019 |publisher=Palgrave |isbn=978-3-319-91652-1 |page=10 |language=en-gb |doi=10.1007/978-3-319-91653-8 |access-date=28 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210526133319/https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-319-91653-8 |archive-date=26 May 2021 |url-status=live |s2cid=158959849}}</ref><ref name=":5">{{cite web |date=14 November 2018 |title=Hypocrisy of Dubai's World Tolerance Summit |url=https://www.hrw.org/news/2018/11/14/hypocrisy-dubais-world-tolerance-summit |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210418003418/https://www.hrw.org/news/2018/11/14/hypocrisy-dubais-world-tolerance-summit |archive-date=18 April 2021 |access-date=6 April 2021 |website=Human Rights Watch |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":6">{{cite news |date=30 January 2021 |title=United Arab Emirates says it will offer citizenship to some |url=https://apnews.com/article/dubai-united-arab-emirates-abu-dhabi-coronavirus-pandemic-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-708c588985bad97230b458b435cbfbc2 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210429135542/https://apnews.com/article/dubai-united-arab-emirates-abu-dhabi-coronavirus-pandemic-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-708c588985bad97230b458b435cbfbc2 |archive-date=29 April 2021 |access-date=6 April 2021 |work=Associated Press}}</ref> According to the ''[[The New York Times|New York Times]]'', the UAE is "an autocracy with the sheen of a progressive, modern state".<ref>{{cite news |author=Mazzetti, Mark and Hager, Emily B. |date=14 May 2011 |title=Secret Desert Force Set Up by Blackwater's Founder |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/15/world/middleeast/15prince.html?pagewanted=all&_r=1& |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230404064810/https://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/15/world/middleeast/15prince.html?pagewanted=all&_r=1& |archive-date=4 April 2023 |access-date=28 March 2024 |work=[[The New York Times]] |quote=The United Arab Emirates – an autocracy with the sheen of a progressive, modern state – are closely allied with the United States, and American officials indicated that the battalion program had some support in Washington.}}</ref> The UAE has been described as a "tribal autocracy" where the seven constituent monarchies are led by tribal rulers in an autocratic fashion.<ref name=":12">{{Cite book |last=Krane |first=Jim |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=mJWrVWZuUJEC |title=City of Gold: Dubai and the Dream of Capitalism |date=15 September 2009 |publisher=St. Martin's Publishing Group |isbn=978-1-4299-1899-2 |page=10 |language=en |access-date=28 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230219202257/https://books.google.com/books?id=mJWrVWZuUJEC |archive-date=19 February 2023 |url-status=live}}</ref> There are no democratically elected institutions, and there is no formal commitment to free speech.<ref name=":3">{{Cite news |last=Stack |first=Liam |date=30 April 2017 |title=Dubai Introduces Its Own Font, Lauding Free Expression It Does Not Permit |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/04/30/world/middleeast/dubai-introduces-its-own-font-lauding-free-expression-it-does-not-permit.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210525033202/https://www.nytimes.com/2017/04/30/world/middleeast/dubai-introduces-its-own-font-lauding-free-expression-it-does-not-permit.html |archive-date=25 May 2021 |access-date=25 May 2021 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> According to human rights organisations, there are systematic human rights violations, including the torture and forced disappearance of government critics.<ref name=":3" /> The UAE ranks poorly in [[freedom indices]] measuring [[civil liberties]] and [[political rights]]. The UAE is annually ranked as "Not Free" in [[Freedom House]]'s annual ''[[Freedom in the World]]'' report, which measures civil liberties and political rights.<ref name="United Arab Emirates Reports" /> The UAE also ranks poorly in the annual [[Reporters without Borders]]' [[Press Freedom Index]]. The [[Bertelsmann Transformation Index]] describes the UAE as a "moderate monarchy". The country was ranked 91 out of 137 states and is far below the average scoring for development towards a democracy.<ref>{{Cite web |title=BTI 2022: United Arab Emirates |url=https://bti-project.org/en/reports/country-dashboard?isocode=ARE&cHash=98c3237aa3b3bd62d4a082e9b709a514 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230404121251/https://bti-project.org/en/reports/country-dashboard?isocode=ARE&cHash=98c3237aa3b3bd62d4a082e9b709a514 |archive-date=4 April 2023 |access-date=4 April 2023 |website=BTI 2022 |language=en}}</ref> According to the 2023 [[V-Dem Democracy indices]], the United Arab Emirates is the third least [[Democracy in the Middle East and North Africa|electoral democratic country in the Middle East]].<ref name="vdem_dataset">{{cite web |last=V-Dem Institute |date=2023 |title=The V-Dem Dataset |url=https://www.v-dem.net/data/the-v-dem-dataset/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221208183458/https://www.v-dem.net/data/the-v-dem-dataset/ |archive-date=8 December 2022 |access-date=14 October 2023}}</ref>

=== {{anchor|Political divisions}}Administrative divisions ===
{{See also|Politics of the United Arab Emirates|List of cities in the United Arab Emirates|Emirates of the United Arab Emirates}}
{{UAE midsize imagemap with emirate names}}

The United Arab Emirates comprises seven emirates. The [[Emirate of Dubai]] is the most populous emirate with 35.6% of the UAE population. The [[Emirate of Abu Dhabi]] has 31.2%, meaning that over two-thirds of the UAE population lives in either Abu Dhabi or Dubai.

Abu Dhabi has an area of {{convert|67340|km2|0|abbr=off}}, which is 86.7% of the country's total area, excluding the islands. It has a coastline extending for more than {{convert|400|km|-1|abbr=on}} and is divided for administrative purposes into three major regions. The Emirate of Dubai extends along the Persian Gulf coast of the UAE for approximately {{convert|72|km|0|abbr=on}}. Dubai has an area of {{convert|3885|km2|0|abbr=off}}, which is equivalent to 5% of the country's total area, excluding the islands. The Emirate of Sharjah extends along approximately {{convert|16|km|0|abbr=on}} of the UAE's Persian Gulf coastline and for more than {{convert|80|km|0|abbr=on}} into the interior. The northern emirates which include Fujairah, Ajman, Ras al-Khaimah, and [[Umm al-Quwain|Umm al-Qaiwain]] all have a total area of {{convert|3881|km2|0|abbr=off}}. There are two areas under joint control. One is jointly controlled by Oman and Ajman, the other by Fujairah and Sharjah.

There is an Omani [[enclave and exclave|exclave]] surrounded by UAE territory, known as [[Madha|Wadi Madha]]. It is located halfway between the [[Musandam Governorate|Musandam]] peninsula and the rest of Oman in the Emirate of [[Sharjah]]. It covers approximately {{convert|75|km2|0|abbr=off}} and the boundary was settled in 1969. The north-east corner of Madha is closest to the Khor Fakkan-Fujairah road, barely {{convert|10|m|ft|abbr=off}} away. Within the Omani exclave of Madha, is a UAE exclave called [[Nahwa]], also belonging to the Emirate of Sharjah. It is about {{convert|8|km|mi|spell=in|abbr=off}} on a dirt track west of the town of New Madha. It consists of about forty houses with its own clinic and telephone exchange.

=== Foreign relations ===
{{Main|Foreign relations of the United Arab Emirates}}
[[File:President Trump and The First Lady Participate in an Abraham Accords Signing Ceremony (50346677397).jpg|thumb|Emirati Minister of Foreign Affairs [[Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan]] (furthest right) at the signing of the [[Abraham Accords]]]]

The United Arab Emirates has broad diplomatic and commercial relations with most countries and members of the [[United Nations]]. It plays a significant role in [[OPEC]], and is one of the founding members of the [[Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf|Gulf Cooperation Council]] (GCC). The UAE is a member of the [[United Nations]] and several of its specialized agencies ([[ICAO]], [[International Labour Organization|ILO]], [[UPU]], [[World Health Organization|WHO]], [[WIPO]]), as well as the [[World Bank]], [[International Monetary Fund|IMF]], [[Arab League]], [[Organisation of Islamic Cooperation]] (OIC), and the [[Non-Aligned Movement]]. Also, it is an observer in the [[Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie]]. Most countries have diplomatic missions in the capital [[Abu Dhabi]] with most consulates being in UAE's largest city, [[Dubai]].

Emirati foreign relations are motivated to a large extent by identity and relationship to the [[Arab world]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sciencespo.fr/kuwait-program/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Shahrour-Karam-The-evolution-of-Emirati-foreign-policy-1971-2020.pdf|title=The evolution of Emirati foreign policy (1971–2020): The unexpected rise of a small state with boundless ambitions|publisher=SciencesPo|date=2020|access-date=28 March 2024|archive-date=27 November 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231127095009/https://www.sciencespo.fr/kuwait-program/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Shahrour-Karam-The-evolution-of-Emirati-foreign-policy-1971-2020.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> The United Arab Emirates has strong ties with Bahrain,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://saudigazette.com.sa/article/609429/World/Mena/King-Hamad-hails-strong-Bahrain-UAE-ties-in-meeting-with-Abu-Dhabi-crown-prince|title=King Hamad hails strong Bahrain-UAE ties in meeting with Abu Dhabi crown prince|publisher=Saudi Gazette|date=3 August 2021|access-date=28 March 2024|archive-date=26 September 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230926055700/https://saudigazette.com.sa/article/609429/World/Mena/King-Hamad-hails-strong-Bahrain-UAE-ties-in-meeting-with-Abu-Dhabi-crown-prince|url-status=live}}</ref> China,<ref>{{cite news |title=Strong bilateral relations serve the strategic interests of both China and the UAE |url=https://www.thenational.ae/opinion/comment/strong-bilateral-relations-serve-the-strategic-interests-of-both-china-and-the-uae-1.749584 |work=The National |access-date=13 July 2018 |archive-date=30 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181130122411/https://www.thenational.ae/opinion/comment/strong-bilateral-relations-serve-the-strategic-interests-of-both-china-and-the-uae-1.749584 |url-status=live }}</ref> Egypt,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sis.gov.eg/En/Politics/Foreign/EArab/U.A.E/040306030000000002.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090109153827/http://www.sis.gov.eg/En/Politics/Foreign/EArab/U.A.E/040306030000000002.htm |archive-date=9 January 2009 |title=Egypt and U.A.E. Relations |work=Egypt State Information Service Sis.gov.eg }}</ref> France,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thenationalnews.com/uae/france-strengthens-its-bond-with-uae-1.543500|title=France strengthens its bond with UAE|publisher=The National|date=19 December 2008|access-date=28 March 2024|archive-date=29 March 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230329092558/https://www.thenationalnews.com/uae/france-strengthens-its-bond-with-uae-1.543500|url-status=live}}</ref> India,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mei.edu/publications/india-uae-relations-poised-climb-new-heights|title=India-UAE Relations: Poised to Climb to New Heights|publisher=Middle East Institute|date=23 March 2021|access-date=28 March 2024|archive-date=27 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231227092123/https://mei.edu/publications/india-uae-relations-poised-climb-new-heights|url-status=live}}</ref> Jordan,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.jordantimes.com/news/local/jordan-uae-ties-%E2%80%98strong-guarantor%E2%80%99-security-peace-%E2%80%94-ambassador|title=Jordan-UAE ties a 'strong guarantor' for security, peace — ambassador|work=Jordan Times |publisher=The Jordan Times|date=12 April 2021|access-date=28 March 2024|archive-date=28 May 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230528224306/https://www.jordantimes.com/news/local/jordan-uae-ties-%E2%80%98strong-guarantor%E2%80%99-security-peace-%E2%80%94-ambassador|url-status=live}}</ref> Pakistan,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://tribune.com.pk/story/2276704/uae-fm-terms-ties-with-pakistan-unique-case-in-arab-asian-relations|title=UAE FM terms ties with Pakistan "unique case in Arab-Asian relations"|publisher=Tribune|date=20 December 2020|access-date=28 March 2024|archive-date=29 March 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230329092559/https://tribune.com.pk/story/2276704/uae-fm-terms-ties-with-pakistan-unique-case-in-arab-asian-relations|url-status=live}}</ref> Russia,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://responsiblestatecraft.org/2020/01/24/why-the-relationship-between-russia-and-the-united-arab-emirates-is-strengthening/|title=Why the Relationship Between Russia and the United Arab Emirates is Strengthening|publisher=Responsible Statecraft|date=24 January 2020|access-date=28 March 2024|archive-date=29 March 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230329092601/https://responsiblestatecraft.org/2020/01/24/why-the-relationship-between-russia-and-the-united-arab-emirates-is-strengthening/|url-status=live}}</ref> Saudi Arabia,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2018/04/09/a-saudi-princes-quest-to-remake-the-middle-east|title=A Saudi Prince's Quest to Remake the Middle East|author=The New Yorker|date=2 April 2018|access-date=10 April 2019|archive-date=9 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180809023149/https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2018/04/09/a-saudi-princes-quest-to-remake-the-middle-east|url-status=live}}</ref> and the United States.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.arabianbusiness.com/politics-economics/463351-us-states-playing-critical-role-in-widening-uae-bilateral-ties|title=US states play 'critical' role in widening bilateral ties with the UAE|newspaper=Arabian Business|date=16 May 2021|access-date=28 March 2024|archive-date=30 December 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221230082314/https://www.arabianbusiness.com/politics-economics/463351-us-states-playing-critical-role-in-widening-uae-bilateral-ties|url-status=live}}</ref>

Following the British withdrawal from the UAE in 1971 and the establishment of the UAE as a state, the UAE disputed rights to three islands in the Persian Gulf against Iran, namely [[Abu Musa]], [[Greater Tunb]], and [[Lesser Tunb]]. The UAE tried to bring the matter to the [[International Court of Justice]], but Iran dismissed the notion.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hiik.de/konfliktbarometer/pdf/Konfliktbarometer_2001.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080229133058/http://www.hiik.de/konfliktbarometer/pdf/Konfliktbarometer_2001.pdf |archive-date=29 February 2008 |title=Konfliktbarometer 2001 |url-status=dead |access-date=1 June 2016}}. Heidelberger Institut für Internationale Konfliktforschung</ref> Pakistan was the first country to formally recognise the UAE upon its formation.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pakobserver.net/200811/26/Editorial01.asp |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090626001001/http://pakobserver.net/200811/26/Editorial01.asp |archive-date=26 June 2009 |title=Relations with UAE get wider, deeper|work=Pakistan Observer |date=26 November 2008 }}</ref> The UAE alongside multiple [[Middle Eastern countries|Middle Eastern]] and [[African countries|African]] countries cut diplomatic ties with [[Qatar]] in June 2017 due to allegations of [[Qatar and state-sponsored terrorism|Qatar being a state sponsor of terrorism]], resulting in the [[Qatar diplomatic crisis]]. Ties were restored in January 2021.<ref>{{cite web|title=UAE to restore Qatar trade and travel links 'within a week' after row ends|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-55579014|publisher=BBC|date=7 January 2021|access-date=28 March 2024|archive-date=24 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210824022154/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-55579014|url-status=live}}</ref> The UAE recognized Israel in August 2020, reaching a historic [[Israel–United Arab Emirates peace agreement]] and leading towards full normalization of relations between the two countries.<ref name="BBC859" /><ref>{{Cite news|date=13 August 2020|title=With President Trump's help, Israel and the United Arab Emirates reach historic deal to normalize relations|language=en|work=Reuters|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-israel-emirates-trump-idUSKCN25926W|access-date=13 August 2020|archive-date=13 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200813221727/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-israel-emirates-trump-idUSKCN25926W/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |author=Toi Staff |title=Full text of the Abraham Accords signed by Israel, the UAE and Bahrain |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/full-text-of-the-abraham-accords-signed-by-israel-the-uae-and-bahrain/ |access-date=10 October 2020 |publisher=The Times of Israel |date=16 September 2020 |archive-date=13 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201013235112/https://www.timesofisrael.com/full-text-of-the-abraham-accords-signed-by-israel-the-uae-and-bahrain/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
[[File:16th BRICS Summit family photograph (2024).jpg|thumb|UAE President [[Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan|Mohamed bin Zayed]] at the [[16th BRICS summit]] in October 2024]]
UAE is the 53rd most peaceful country in the world, according to the 2024 [[Global Peace Index]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=2024 Global Peace Index |url=https://www.economicsandpeace.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/GPI-2024-web.pdf}}</ref>

Gulf Arab states, including the United Arab Emirates, are showing interest in engaging with Syria's new leadership to promote political transition and address regional concerns. By engaging with Syria's new leadership, Gulf states hope to counterbalance Turkish influence in the region. Additionally, the UAE leadership see the change in Syria as an opportunity to undermine Iranian influence in the Levant. The hope is to help push Iran out of Syria and cut its pathways between Iraq and Lebanon.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Tasinato |first=Emily |date=3 February 2025 |title=All change: How Europeans and Gulf Arab states can promote Syria's political transition |url=https://ecfr.eu/article/all-change-how-europeans-and-gulf-arab-states-can-promote-syrias-political-transition/ |access-date=5 February 2025 |website=ECFR |language=en-GB |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250208174009/https://ecfr.eu/article/all-change-how-europeans-and-gulf-arab-states-can-promote-syrias-political-transition/ |archive-date= 8 February 2025 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Smith |first=Mary Kate |date=2 January 2025 |title=The Gulf in 2025: Expert Outlook |url=https://gulfif.org/the-gulf-in-2025-expert-outlook/ |access-date=5 February 2025 |website=Gulf International Forum |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=The Gulf Shifts Policies in Response to the "New" Syria |url=https://carnegieendowment.org/research/2025/01/the-gulf-shifts-policies-in-response-to-the-new-syria?lang=en |access-date=5 February 2025 |website=Carnegie Endowment for International Peace |language=en}}</ref>

=== Military ===
{{Main|United Arab Emirates Armed Forces}}
{{Multiple image
| direction         = vertical
| caption_align     = center
| image1            = Baynunah-class corvette Al Dhafra P-173 at NAVDEX.JPG
| caption1          = [[Baynunah-class corvette|''Baynunah''-class corvette]] of the [[United Arab Emirates Navy]]
| image2            = F-16e block60.jpg
| caption2          = [[General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon variants#F-16E/F Block 60|F-16 Desert Falcon]] of the [[United Arab Emirates Air Force]]
}}
The armed forces of the United Arab Emirates consist of 44,000 active personnel in the [[United Arab Emirates Army|Army]], 2,500 personnel and 46 ships in the [[United Arab Emirates Navy|Navy]], 4,500 personnel and 386 aircraft in the [[United Arab Emirates Air Force|Air Force]], and 12,000 personnel in the [[United Arab Emirates Presidential Guard|Presidential Guard]]. In 2022 the country spent US$20.4 billion on defense, which is 4% of its GDP. The UAE is considered to have the most capable military among the Gulf states.<ref name="iiss2023">{{Cite book |author=IISS |author-link=International Institute for Strategic Studies |date=2023 |title=The Military Balance 2023 |publisher=International Institute for Strategic Studies |pages=351–354 }}</ref><ref name="WorldFactbook" />

Although initially small in number, the UAE armed forces have grown significantly over the years and are presently equipped with some of the most modern weapon systems, purchased from a variety of western military advanced countries, mainly France, the US, and the UK. Most officers are graduates of the United Kingdom's [[Royal Military Academy Sandhurst|Royal Military Academy]] at [[Sandhurst, Berkshire|Sandhurst]], with others having attended the [[United States Military Academy]] at [[West Point, New York|West Point]], the [[Royal Military College, Duntroon]] in Australia, and [[École spéciale militaire de Saint-Cyr|St Cyr]], the military academy of France. France and the United States have played the most strategically significant roles with defence cooperation agreements and military material provision.<ref>{{cite news|title=UAE confirms discussions with France on purchase of Rafale aircraft|url=http://www.wam.org.ae/servlet/Satellite?c=WamLocEnews&cid=1200074664706&p=1135099400124&pagename=WAM%2FWamLocEnews%2FW-T-LEN-FullNews|agency=Emirates News Agency|date=5 June 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130509014605/http://www.wam.org.ae/servlet/Satellite?c=WamLocEnews&cid=1200074664706&p=1135099400124&pagename=WAM%2FWamLocEnews%2FW-T-LEN-FullNews|archive-date=9 May 2013}}</ref>

Some of the UAE military deployments include an infantry battalion to the United Nations [[UNOSOM II]] force in [[Somalia]] in 1993, the 35th Mechanised Infantry Battalion to [[Kosovo]], a regiment to Kuwait during the [[Iraq War]], [[demining]] operations in [[Lebanon]], [[Operation Enduring Freedom]] in [[Afghanistan]], [[2011 military intervention in Libya|American-led intervention in Libya]], [[American-led intervention in the Syrian Civil War|American-led intervention in Syria]], and the [[Saudi-led intervention in Yemen]]. The active and effective military role, despite its small active personnel, has led the UAE military to be nicknamed as "Little Sparta" by [[United States Armed Forces]] Generals and former US defense secretary [[James Mattis]].<ref>{{cite news|title=In the UAE, the United States has a quiet, potent ally nicknamed 'Little Sparta'|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/in-the-uae-the-united-states-has-a-quiet-potent-ally-nicknamed-little-sparta/2014/11/08/3fc6a50c-643a-11e4-836c-83bc4f26eb67_story.html|newspaper=The Washington Post|access-date=15 September 2018|archive-date=18 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180818041917/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/in-the-uae-the-united-states-has-a-quiet-potent-ally-nicknamed-little-sparta/2014/11/08/3fc6a50c-643a-11e4-836c-83bc4f26eb67_story.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

The UAE intervened in the [[Libyan Civil War (2014–present)|Libyan Civil War]] in support of General [[Khalifa Haftar]]'s [[Libyan National Army]] in its conflict with the internationally recognised [[Government of National Accord]] (GNA).<ref>{{cite news |title=UAE and Egypt behind bombing raids against Libyan militias, say US officials |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/aug/26/united-arab-emirates-bombing-raids-libyan-militias |work=The Guardian |date=26 August 2014 |access-date=28 March 2024 |archive-date=17 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117223306/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/aug/26/united-arab-emirates-bombing-raids-libyan-militias |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Libya migrant attack: UN investigators suspect foreign jet bombed centre |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-50302602 |work=BBC News |date=6 November 2019 |access-date=28 March 2024 |archive-date=4 March 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200304005920/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-50302602 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=UAE implicated in lethal drone strike in Libya |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-53917791 |work=BBC News |date=27 August 2020 |access-date=29 August 2020 |archive-date=11 December 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201211090852/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-53917791 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Examples of the military assets deployed include the enforcement of the [[Operation Odyssey Dawn|no-fly-zone over Libya]] by sending six [[UAEAF]] [[F-16]] and six [[Dassault Mirage 2000|Mirage 2000]] [[Multirole combat aircraft|multi-role fighter aircraft]],<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-12806112|title=Libya no-fly zone: Coalition firepower|newspaper=BBC News|access-date=25 December 2014|date=21 October 2011|archive-date=9 December 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141209222012/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-12806112|url-status=live}}</ref> ground troop deployment in Afghanistan,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.thenational.ae/world/europe/nato-officially-initiates-uae-into-afghan-mission-1.749833|title=Nato officially initiates UAE into Afghan mission|author=The National|date=12 July 2018|access-date=11 April 2019|archive-date=11 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190411030210/https://www.thenational.ae/world/europe/nato-officially-initiates-uae-into-afghan-mission-1.749833|url-status=live}}</ref> 30 UAEAF F-16s and ground troops deployment in Southern Yemen,<ref name="repel">{{cite news|url=http://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/middle-east/2015/03/26/GCC-states-to-repel-Houthi-aggression-in-Yemen-statement-.html|publisher=Al Arabiya|title=Saudi warplanes bomb Houthi positions in Yemen|date=25 March 2015|access-date=25 March 2015|url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402125058/http://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/middle-east/2015/03/26/GCC-states-to-repel-Houthi-aggression-in-Yemen-statement-.html |archive-date=2 April 2015}}</ref> and helping the US launch its first airstrikes against [[Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant|ISIL]] targets in Syria.<ref>{{cite news|title=US launches air strikes against Isil in Syria|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/syria/11114991/US-launches-air-strikes-against-Isil-in-Syria-live.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220110/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/syria/11114991/US-launches-air-strikes-against-Isil-in-Syria-live.html |archive-date=10 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|work=The Telegraph|date=24 September 2014|last1=Winch|first1=Jessica}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

The UAE has begun production of a greater amount of military equipment, in a bid to reduce foreign dependence and help with national industrialisation. Example of national military development include the Abu Dhabi Shipbuilding company (ADSB), which produces a range of ships and is a prime contractor in the [[Baynunah-class corvette|Baynunah Programme]], a programme to design, develop, and produce corvettes customised for operation in the shallow waters of the [[Persian Gulf]]. The UAE is also producing weapons and ammunition through [[Caracal International]], military transport vehicles through [[NIMR (vehicle manufacturer)|Nimr LLC]], and unmanned aerial vehicles collectively through [[Emirates Defence Industries Company]]. The UAE operates the [[General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon]] F-16E Block 60 unique variant unofficially called "[[General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon variants#F-16E/F Block 60|Desert Falcon]]", developed by [[General Dynamics]] in collaboration with the UAE and specifically for the [[United Arab Emirates Air Force]].<ref name=fg1>{{cite web |url=http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2007/11/11/219363/dubai-2007-uae-shows-off-its-most-advanced-falcons.html |title=Dubai 2007: UAE shows off its most advanced Falcons |website=[[Flightglobal]] |date=11 November 2007 |access-date=11 April 2019 |archive-date=2 April 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090402230254/http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2007/11/11/219363/dubai-2007-uae-shows-off-its-most-advanced-falcons.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The [[United Arab Emirates Army]] operates a customized [[Leclerc tank]] and is the only other operator of the tank aside from the French Army.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://nationalinterest.org/blog/buzz/one-tough-tank-why-frances-leclerc-one-best-planet-44577|title=One Tough Tank: Why France's Leclerc Is One of the Best on the Planet|publisher=nationalinterest.org|date=19 February 2019|access-date=11 April 2019|archive-date=11 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190411035552/https://nationalinterest.org/blog/buzz/one-tough-tank-why-frances-leclerc-one-best-planet-44577|url-status=live}}</ref> The largest defence exhibition and conference in the Middle East, [[International Defence Exhibition]], takes place biennially in Abu Dhabi.

The UAE introduced a [[Mandatory National Service in United Arab Emirates|mandatory military service]] for adult males, since 2014, for 16 months to expand its reserve force.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-emirates-military/uae-extends-compulsory-military-service-to-16-months-idUSKBN1JY093|title=UAE extends compulsory military service to 16 months|work=Reuters|date=8 July 2018|access-date=11 April 2019|archive-date=29 March 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230329100921/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-emirates-military/uae-extends-compulsory-military-service-to-16-months-idUSKBN1JY093|url-status=live}}</ref> The highest loss of life in the history of UAE military occurred on Friday 4 September 2015, in which 52 soldiers were killed in [[Ma'rib|Marib]] area of central Yemen by a [[OTR-21 Tochka|Tochka]] missile which targeted a weapons cache and caused a large explosion.<ref name=":0">{{cite news|title = UAE, Bahrain say 50 soldiers killed in Yemen attack|url = http://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-yemen-security-idUKKCN0R40V120150904|access-date = 17 September 2015|newspaper = Reuters|date = 4 September 2015|archive-date = 26 January 2016|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160126010335/http://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-yemen-security-idUKKCN0R40V120150904|url-status = dead}}</ref>

=== Law ===
{{Main|Legal system of the United Arab Emirates|Crime in the United Arab Emirates}}
{{See also|LGBT rights in the United Arab Emirates}}
[[File:Police helicopter at sunset (Unsplash).jpg|thumb|[[Dubai Police]] helicopter flying at sunset]]

The United Arab Emirates has a federal court system, and the emirates of [[Emirate of Abu Dhabi|Abu Dhabi]], [[Emirate of Dubai|Dubai]], and [[Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah|Ras Al Khaimah]] also have local court systems. The UAE's judicial system is derived from the [[civil law system]] and [[Sharia]] law. The court system consists of civil courts and Sharia courts. Sharia courts have exclusive jurisdiction in Muslim family law matters, while civil courts deal with all other legal matters.<ref name=":7" /> Since September 2020, corporal punishment is no longer a legal form of punishment under UAE federal law. Under the decree, legal forms of punishment are retribution and blood money payments, capital punishment, life imprisonment, temporary imprisonment, indefinite detention, and fines.<ref name=":7">{{Cite web |title=Federal Decree Law No. (15) of 2020 |url=https://www.moj.gov.ae/assets/2021/Federal%20Decree%20Law%20No.%20(15)%20of%202020%20Concerning%20the%20Penal%20Code.pdf.aspx |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230531203636/https://www.moj.gov.ae/assets/2021/Federal%20Decree%20Law%20No.%20(15)%20of%202020%20Concerning%20the%20Penal%20Code.pdf.aspx |archive-date=31 May 2023 |access-date=8 June 2023 |website=Ministry of Justice |at=Pages 1, Article 1 "The provisions of the Islamic Shari’a shall apply to the retribution and blood money crimes. Other crimes and their respective punishments shall be provided for in accordance with the provisions of this Law and other applicable penal codes". |publication-date=27 September 2020}}</ref> Article 1 of the Federal Penal Code was amended in 2020 to state that Islamic Law applies only to retribution and blood money punishments; previously the article stated that "provisions of the [[Islamic Law]] shall apply to the crimes of doctrinal punishment, punitive punishment and blood money."<ref name=":7" /><ref>{{cite web |title=Federal Law No (3) of 1987 on Issuance of the Penal Code |url=https://www.unodc.org/tldb/showDocument.do?documentUid=6385&country=UAE |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130525044622/https://www.unodc.org/tldb/showDocument.do?documentUid=6385&country=UAE |archive-date=25 May 2013 |work=United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime}}</ref> Before 2020, [[flogging]], [[stoning]], [[amputation]], and [[crucifixion]] were technically legal punishments for criminal offences such as [[adultery]], [[premarital sex]], and drug or alcohol use.<ref name="usdep">{{cite web|url=https://2009-2017.state.gov/j/drl/rls/hrrpt/2013/nea/220380.htm|title=2013 Human Rights Reports: United Arab Emirates|work=[[US Department of State]]|quote=Sharia (Islamic law) courts, which adjudicate criminal and family law, have the option of imposing flogging as punishment for adultery, [[prostitution]], consensual premarital sex, pregnancy outside marriage, defamation of character, and drug or alcohol abuse.|access-date=21 May 2019|archive-date=19 April 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200419095257/https://2009-2017.state.gov/j/drl/rls/hrrpt/2013/nea/220380.htm|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.humanrightsvoices.org/EYEontheUN/un_101/figures/?p=2484|title=U.N. Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice: United Arab Emirates|work=Human Rights Voices|access-date=12 February 2016|archive-date=11 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201111230016/http://www.humanrightsvoices.org/EYEontheUN/un_101/figures/?p=2484|url-status=dead}}</ref> In recent history, the UAE has declared its intention to move towards a more tolerant legal code, and to phase out corporal punishment altogether in favor of private punishment.<ref>{{Cite web |title=United Arab Emirates {{!}} Global Initiative to End All Corporal Punishment of Children |date=3 November 2017 |url=https://endcorporalpunishment.org/reports-on-every-state-and-territory/united-arab-emirates/ |access-date=24 April 2022 |language=en-GB |archive-date=30 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220630015349/https://endcorporalpunishment.org/reports-on-every-state-and-territory/united-arab-emirates/ |url-status=live }}</ref> With alcohol and cohabitation laws being loosened in advance of the [[Expo 2020|2020 World Expo]], Emirati laws have become increasingly acceptable to visitors from non-Muslim countries.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The United Arab Emirates relaxes laws on alcohol |url=https://drinksint.com/news/fullstory.php/aid/9215/The_United_Arab_Emirates_relaxes_laws_on_alcohol.html |access-date=25 April 2022 |website=Drinks International |date=9 November 2020 |first1=Oli |last1=Dodd |archive-date=25 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220525070905/https://drinksint.com/news/fullstory.php/aid/9215/The_United_Arab_Emirates_relaxes_laws_on_alcohol.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

[[File:Dubai Police at work (12385410394) (cropped).jpg|thumb|left|[[Dubai Police]] super-car motorcade at [[Jumeirah Road]]]]

Sharia courts have exclusive jurisdiction over Muslim family law matters such as marriage, divorce, child custody, and inheritance.<ref name="maleguardian">{{cite web |date=6 August 2014 |title=Divorcees, widows concerned about receiving 'permission' before remarrying |url=http://www.thenational.ae/uae/courts/divorcees-widows-concerned-about-receiving-permission-before-remarrying |first1=Shireena |last1=Al Nowais |work=[[The National (Abu Dhabi)|The National]] |access-date=28 March 2024 |archive-date=29 June 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170629144850/http://www.thenational.ae/uae/courts/divorcees-widows-concerned-about-receiving-permission-before-remarrying#ixzz3F1sb6IYa |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Sebugwaawo |first=Ismail |title=New Abu Dhabi marriage law: How tourists and expats can tie the knot in four steps |date=10 February 2022 |url=https://www.khaleejtimes.com/legal/explainer-how-expats-tourists-can-get-married-under-abu-dhabis-new-family-law |access-date=8 June 2023 |website=Khaleej Times |language=en |archive-date=8 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230608171832/https://www.khaleejtimes.com/legal/explainer-how-expats-tourists-can-get-married-under-abu-dhabis-new-family-law |url-status=live }}</ref> Muslim women must receive permission from a male guardian to marry and remarry. This requirement is derived from [[Sharia]] law and has been federal law since 2005.<ref name="maleguardian" /> It is illegal for Muslim women to marry non-Muslims and is punishable by law.<ref name="religiousfreedom">{{cite web |title=United Arab Emirates International Religious Freedom Report 2009 |url=https://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/irf/2009/127360.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091031224349/http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/irf/2009/127360.htm |archive-date=31 October 2009 |work=Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor |publisher=U.S. Department of State |date=26 October 2009 }}</ref> Non-Muslim expatriates were liable to Sharia rulings on marriage, divorce, child custody, and inheritance, however, federal law was changed to introduce non-Sharia personal status law for non-Muslims.<ref name="lia">{{cite web |url-status=live |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-28638553 |title=Britons 'liable to Sharia divorces' in UAE |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210512043653/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-28638553 |archive-date=12 May 2021 |website=BBC |date=5 August 2014 |first1= Sheetal |last1=Parmar |access-date=26 November 2015}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Husain |first=Zainab |date=27 December 2022 |title=New UAE law for non-Muslims – 5 criteria for civil marriage |url=https://gulfnews.com/living-in-uae/ask-us/new-uae-law-for-non-muslims--5-criteria-for-civil-marriage-1.1672143291028 |access-date=8 June 2023 |website=Gulf News |language=en |archive-date=8 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230608171827/https://gulfnews.com/living-in-uae/ask-us/new-uae-law-for-non-muslims--5-criteria-for-civil-marriage-1.1672143291028 |url-status=live }}</ref> Recently, the emirate of Abu Dhabi opened a civil law family court for non-Muslims and Dubai has announced that non-Muslims can opt for civil marriages.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Abdulla |first=Nasreen |title=New UAE law: Dubai residents can now get marriage licences in 24 hours |url=https://www.khaleejtimes.com/uae/new-uae-law-dubai-residents-can-now-get-marriage-licences-in-24-hours |access-date=8 June 2023 |website=Khaleej Times |language=en |archive-date=8 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230608171829/https://www.khaleejtimes.com/uae/new-uae-law-dubai-residents-can-now-get-marriage-licences-in-24-hours |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="lia" />

[[Apostasy]] is a technically [[Capital punishment|capital crime]] in the UAE, however, there are no documented cases of apostates being executed.<ref>Evans, Robert. (9 December 2013) [https://www.reuters.com/article/us-religion-atheists-idUSBRE9B900G20131210 Atheists face death in 13 countries, global discrimination: study] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210821110306/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-religion-atheists-idUSBRE9B900G20131210 |date=21 August 2021 }}. Reuters. Retrieved 26 November 2015.</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=The International Briefing: Persecution of Atheists and Apostates |url=http://beaveronline.co.uk/the-international-briefing-persecution-of-atheists-and-apostates/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150428131415/http://beaveronline.co.uk/the-international-briefing-persecution-of-atheists-and-apostates/ |archive-date=28 April 2015}}</ref> [[Blasphemy#Punishment and definition|Blasphemy]] is illegal; expatriates involved in insulting Islam are liable for deportation.<ref>{{cite web |date=22 July 2015 |title=UAE to deport expats abusing religions |url=http://www.emirates247.com/news/emirates/uae-to-deport-expats-abusing-religions-2015-07-22-1.597619 |work=Emirates 247 |access-date=28 March 2024 |archive-date=25 May 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170525072642/http://www.emirates247.com/news/emirates/uae-to-deport-expats-abusing-religions-2015-07-22-1.597619 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="shar">{{cite journal |author=Butti Sultan Butti Ali Al-Muhairi |year=1996 |title=The Islamisation of Laws in the UAE: The Case of the Penal Code |journal=Arab Law Quarterly |volume=11 |issue=4 |pages=350–371 |doi=10.2307/3381546 |jstor=3381546| issn=0268-0556 }}</ref><ref>Al-Muhairi (1997), Conclusion to the Series of Articles on the UAE Penal Law. Arab Law Quarterly, Vol. 12, No. 4</ref>

[[LGBT rights in the United Arab Emirates|Sodomy]] is illegal and is punishable by a minimum of 6-month imprisonment or a fine or both, but the law does not apply "except on the basis of a complaint from the husband or legal guardian", but the penalty may be suspended if the complaint is waived.<ref name=":8">{{Cite web |date=5 June 2022 |title=UAE: Sweeping Legal 'Reforms' Deepen Repression |url=https://www.hrw.org/news/2022/06/05/uae-sweeping-legal-reforms-deepen-repression |access-date=21 June 2023 |website=Human Rights Watch |language=en |quote="Under the 2021 law, if men and women have sex outside of marriage, the act carries a penalty of no less than six months imprisonment. Sodomy with an adult male is also criminalized under the law. In both cases, the offenses can only be prosecuted on the basis of a complaint by a husband or male guardian." |archive-date=11 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240311045529/https://www.hrw.org/news/2022/06/05/uae-sweeping-legal-reforms-deepen-repression |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2013, an Emirati man was on trial for being accused of a "gay handshake".<ref name="arc.com">{{cite web |title=Man Accused of 'Gay Handshake' Stands Trial in Dubai |url=http://www.care2.com/causes/man-accused-of-gay-handshake-stands-trial-in-dubai.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151030104723/http://www.care2.com/causes/man-accused-of-gay-handshake-stands-trial-in-dubai.html |archive-date=30 October 2015 |access-date=11 January 2015}}</ref>

Due to local customs, public shows of affection in certain public places are illegal and could result in [[deportation]], but holding hands is tolerated.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Simpson |first=Colin |date=4 July 2013 |title=The rules are clear, says lawyer: no kissing allowed in Dubai |url=https://www.thenationalnews.com/uae/heritage/2023/03/06/the-rules-are-clear-says-lawyer-no-kissing-allowed-in-dubai/ |access-date=21 June 2023 |website=The National |language=en |archive-date=7 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231207101610/https://www.thenationalnews.com/uae/heritage/2023/03/06/the-rules-are-clear-says-lawyer-no-kissing-allowed-in-dubai/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Expats in Dubai have been deported for kissing in public.<ref name="bbc.com">[https://www.bbc.com/news/10507147 London man tells of 'shock' jailing in Dubai over kiss] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210517221054/https://www.bbc.com/news/10507147 |date=17 May 2021 }}. Bbc.com. Retrieved 26 November 2015.</ref> In several cases, the courts of the UAE have jailed women who have reported rape.{{efn|Attributed to multiple sources: <ref>{{Cite news|title = UAE imprisoning rape victims under extramarital sex laws – investigation|url = https://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/oct/26/hundreds-of-women-prosecuted-for-extramarital-sex-in-uae-finds-bbc|newspaper = The Guardian|date = 26 October 2015|author = Topping, Alexandra|access-date = 13 December 2016|archive-date = 17 October 2016|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20161017152837/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/oct/26/hundreds-of-women-prosecuted-for-extramarital-sex-in-uae-finds-bbc|url-status = live}}</ref><ref name="cnn">{{cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/2013/07/22/world/meast/uae-norway-rape-controversy/index.html|title=Dubai ruler pardons Norwegian woman convicted after she reported rape|work=CNN.com|access-date=10 September 2013|archive-date=16 September 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130916124444/http://www.cnn.com/2013/07/22/world/meast/uae-norway-rape-controversy/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="reuters" /><ref name="tdb">{{cite web|url=http://www.thedailybeast.com/witw/articles/2013/07/30/dubai-s-progressive-charade.html|title=Dubai's Progressive Charade|work=[[The Daily Beast]]|date=30 July 2013 |access-date=12 February 2016|archive-date=4 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304125248/http://www.thedailybeast.com/witw/articles/2013/07/30/dubai-s-progressive-charade.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="nydaily">{{cite web|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/news/world/dubai-rape-vic-arrested-drinking-article-1.1214682|title=Gang-rape victim in Dubai arrested for drinking alcohol: report|work=[[New York Daily News]]|date=6 December 2012|access-date=12 February 2016|archive-date=5 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305072601/http://www.nydailynews.com/news/world/dubai-rape-vic-arrested-drinking-article-1.1214682|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="latimes">{{cite web|url=http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/babylonbeyond/2010/06/the-court-in-abu-dhabi-ruled-today-that-the-18-year-old-emirati-woman-who-accused-six-men-of-gang-rape-will-serve-a-one-year.html|title=Dubai: Victim of gang rape sentenced to one year in prison|date=17 June 2010|access-date=20 September 2014|archive-date=21 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180821161906/http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/babylonbeyond/2010/06/the-court-in-abu-dhabi-ruled-today-that-the-18-year-old-emirati-woman-who-accused-six-men-of-gang-rape-will-serve-a-one-year.html|url-status=live}}</ref>}} Federal law in the UAE prohibits swearing on social media.<ref name="inde">{{cite news |date=16 June 2015 |title=Swearing on WhatsApp 'will result in £40,000 fine and deportation, UAE rules' |work=[[The Independent]] |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/swearing-on-whatsapp-will-result-in-40000-fine-and-deportation-uae-rules-10324188.html |access-date=28 March 2024 |archive-date=29 June 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190629124207/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/swearing-on-whatsapp-will-result-in-40000-fine-and-deportation-uae-rules-10324188.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|date=16 June 2015|title=British Expats Face Being Deported From UAE For Swearing on WhatsApp|url=https://uk.news.yahoo.com/british-expats-face-being-deported-from-uae-for-swearing-on-whatsapp-161318056.html#GTeWLi4|work=Yahoo News|access-date=28 March 2024|archive-date=23 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923004636/https://uk.news.yahoo.com/british-expats-face-being-deported-from-uae-for-swearing-on-whatsapp-161318056.html#GTeWLi4|url-status=live}}</ref> Dancing in public is illegal in the UAE.<ref>{{cite web |date=23 October 2012 |title=Criminal Law of Dubai |url=http://www.lawyersuae.com/court-cases/criminal-law-of-dubai |publisher=lawyersuae.com |access-date=25 December 2014 |archive-date=6 October 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006095228/http://www.lawyersuae.com/court-cases/criminal-law-of-dubai |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=المشارق |url=http://al-shorfa.com/en_GB/articles/meii/features/2009/03/20/feature-03 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141219073733/http://al-shorfa.com/en_GB/articles/meii/features/2009/03/20/feature-03 |archive-date=19 December 2014 |access-date=15 February 2015 |work=al-shorfa.com}}</ref><ref>[http://www.arabnews.com/node/322024 No dancing in public: Dubai] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210225062212/https://www.arabnews.com/node/322024 |date=25 February 2021 }}. Arab News (15 March 2009). Retrieved 26 November 2015.</ref> In November 2020, UAE announced that it decriminalised alcohol, lifted the ban on unmarried couples living together, and ended lenient punishment on [[honor killing]]. Foreigners living in the Emirates were allowed to follow their native country's laws on divorce and inheritance.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/nov/07/united-arab-emirates-to-relax-islamic-laws-on-personal-freedoms|title=UAE decriminalises alcohol and lifts ban on unmarried couples living together|access-date=9 November 2020|website=The Guardian|date=9 November 2020|archive-date=11 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220111155359/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/nov/07/united-arab-emirates-to-relax-islamic-laws-on-personal-freedoms|url-status=live}}</ref>

Despite the Sharia laws that restrict gambling tools and machines in the UAE, the country granted its first commercial gaming operator's licence to [[Wynn Resorts]] that was developing a luxury resort, including a {{Convert|224000|ft2|abbr=on}} casino component, at [[Al Marjan Island]] in [[Ras Al Khaimah]]. In September 2023, the UAE established the General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA), hinting towards its plans to legalize [[gambling]]. The GCGRA has outlined a comprehensive framework that includes licenses for casinos, [[slot machine]]s, and [[poker]] tables, as well as [[Lottery|lotteries]], [[Online game|internet gaming]], and sports wagering. The GCGRA emphasizes responsible gaming, requiring operators to implement socially responsible gaming programs and undergo audits every two years. These programs include player education, responsible marketing, employee training, and evaluation plans to measure their effectiveness. Gaming operators must have a "qualifying domestic entity" in the UAE, defined as any UAE company with substantial business operations in the jurisdiction. The GCGRA also mandates player management tools, including deposit limits and cooling-off periods for online gaming.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Corder |first=Josh |date=28 July 2024 |title=UAE Publishes Rules For Legal Gambling and Casino Licenses – Here's What They Say |url=https://skift.com/2024/07/28/uae-publishes-rules-for-legal-gambling-and-casino-licenses-heres-what-they-say/ |access-date=16 December 2024 |website=Skift |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":10" />

The first lottery license has been granted to The Game LLC, operating under the banner of the 'UAE Lottery'. This move supersedes existing lottery operators like Mahzooz and Big Ticket, which are no longer legally permitted to offer their services. Players are required to engage only with licensed gaming operators to avoid severe penalties. The regulations also specify that operators must enable players to restrict themselves from online gaming platforms for a period of at least 72 hours upon request. This is part of the broader initiative to ensure a secure and responsible commercial gaming environment in the UAE.<ref name=":1" />

The UAE's move to legalize gaming is seen as a strategic step to enhance its tourism and entertainment sector, leveraging its existing infrastructure and business-friendly environment. This development is expected to attract major gaming operators and contribute significantly to the country's economy.<ref name=":1" />

The country does not have any formal gaming laws, and therefore the project details about the casino were not completely made public. Local citizens are not permitted for gambling, which remains a legal and cultural taboo.<ref>{{cite news|title=Wynn Resorts says it gets UAE's first gambling license|date=5 October 2024|url=https://www.reuters.com/business/wynn-resorts-says-it-gets-uaes-first-gambling-license-2024-10-05/ |access-date=23 October 2024}}</ref><ref name=":10">{{cite news|title=The United Arab Emirates Is Building Its Own Las Vegas|date=6 October 2024|url=https://skift.com/2024/10/06/the-united-arab-emirates-is-building-its-own-las-vegas/ |access-date=23 October 2024}}</ref>

=== Human rights ===
{{Main|Human rights in the United Arab Emirates}}{{Update|section|date=November 2023}}
The state security apparatus in the UAE has been accused of human rights abuses including forced disappearance, arbitrary arrests and torture.<ref>{{cite web |title=Human Rights in The UAE |url=https://www.amnesty.org/en/region/uae |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150213013240/http://www.amnesty.org/en/region/uae |archive-date=13 February 2015}}</ref> The annual [[Freedom House]] report on [[Freedom in the World]] has listed the United Arab Emirates as "Not Free" every year since 1999, the first year for which records are available on their website.<ref name="United Arab Emirates Reports">{{cite web|url=https://freedomhouse.org/report/freedom-world/2014/united-arab-emirates|title=United Arab Emirates Reports|work=Freedom House|access-date=7 May 2015|date=22 August 2014|archive-date=13 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150513050714/https://www.freedomhouse.org/report/freedom-world/2014/united-arab-emirates|url-status=dead}}</ref> Freedom of association is also severely curtailed. Associations and NGOs are required to register with the government; however twenty non-political groups were reportedly operating in the country without registration. All associations have to be submitted to censorship guidelines and all publications have first to be approved by the government.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Fanack |title=Stifling Dissent in the UAE |url=https://chronicle.fanack.com/united-arab-emirates/administration-politics/human-rights-uae-modern-facade-bleak-reality/stifling-dissent/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150713130807/https://chronicle.fanack.com/united-arab-emirates/administration-politics/human-rights-uae-modern-facade-bleak-reality/stifling-dissent/ |archive-date=13 July 2015 |access-date=13 July 2015 |website=Fanack.com}}</ref> In its 2013 Annual Report, [[Amnesty International]] criticized the UAE's poor record on human rights issues; highlighting restrictions of freedom of speech and assembly, the use of [[arbitrary arrest and detention|arbitrary arrest]] and torture, and the use of the death penalty.<ref>{{cite web |title=Annual Report 2013 |url=https://www.amnesty.org/en/region/uae/report-2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140410131431/http://www.amnesty.org/en/region/uae/report-2013 |archive-date=10 April 2014 |access-date=2 April 2014 |publisher=Amnesty International}}</ref>

The UAE has escaped the [[Arab Spring]]; and since 2011, human rights organizations claim that the government has increasingly carried out [[forced disappearances]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Silencing dissent in the UAE |url=https://www.amnesty.org/en/documents/mde25/018/2014/en/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190904111528/https://www.amnesty.org/en/documents/mde25/018/2014/en/ |archive-date=4 September 2019 |access-date=20 November 2018 |publisher=Amnesty International |pages=16–29, 35–45}}</ref><ref name="hrw">[https://www.hrw.org/news/2012/09/14/uae-enforced-disappearance-and-torture UAE: Enforced Disappearance and Torture|Human Rights Watch] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190526103948/https://www.hrw.org/news/2012/09/14/uae-enforced-disappearance-and-torture |date=26 May 2019 }}. Hrw.org. Retrieved 26 November 2015.</ref><ref>[http://www.ic4jhr.net/en/activites/statements/19-uae-enforced-disappearances-continue.html Human Rights in the United – UAE: Enforced disappearances continue] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151126101711/http://www.ic4jhr.net/en/activites/statements/19-uae-enforced-disappearances-continue.html|date=26 November 2015}}. Ic4jhr.net. Retrieved 26 November 2015.</ref>{{Update inline|date=November 2023}} The [[Arab Organization for Human Rights]] obtained testimonies from defendants who claimed being kidnapped, tortured and abused in detention centres; they reported 16 methods of torture including beatings, threats with [[electrocution]] and denial of medical care.<ref name="aohr">{{cite web |date=November 2014 |title=Forced Disappearances and Torture in the United Arab Emirates |url=http://aohr.org.uk/images/releases/forced-disappearance-torture-in-UAE.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160115030038/http://aohr.org.uk/images/releases/forced-disappearance-torture-in-UAE.pdf |archive-date=15 January 2016 |access-date=4 February 2016 |work=Arab Organisation for Human Rights}}</ref> Repressive measures, including deportation, were applied on foreigners based on allegations of attempts to destabilize the country.<ref name="forced">[https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/articles/middle-east/15084-uaes-crackdown-on-democracy-short-sighted UAE's crackdown on democracy short-sighted] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151126114449/https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/articles/middle-east/15084-uaes-crackdown-on-democracy-short-sighted|date=26 November 2015}}. Middleeastmonitor.com. Retrieved 26 November 2015.</ref> The issue of [[sexual abuse]] among female [[domestic workers]] is another area of concern, particularly given that domestic servants are not covered by the UAE labour law of 1980 or the draft labour law of 2007.<ref>{{cite web |author=Whitson, Sarah Leah |date=24 March 2007 |title=UAE: Draft Labor Law Violates International Standards |url=https://www.hrw.org/en/news/2007/03/24/uae-draft-labor-law-violates-international-standards |publisher=Human Rights Watch |access-date=28 March 2024 |archive-date=5 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200805224836/https://www.hrw.org/en/news/2007/03/24/uae-draft-labor-law-violates-international-standards |url-status=live }}</ref>{{Update inline|date=November 2023}} Worker protests have been suppressed and protesters imprisoned without due process.<ref>{{cite news |date=24 February 2008 |title=Indian workers jailed in Dubai over violent protest |work=Reuters |url=http://in.reuters.com/article/idINIndia-32118620080224 |access-date=6 July 2021 |archive-date=12 January 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160112072424/http://in.reuters.com/article/idINIndia-32118620080224 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Amnesty International reported that Qatari men have been abducted by the UAE government and allegedly withheld information about the men's fate from their families.<ref name="forced" /><ref name="qta">{{cite web |title=Urgent Action: Enforced Disappearance of Qatari Nationals |url=http://www.amnestyusa.org/sites/default/files/uaa25614.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141225122354/http://www.amnestyusa.org/sites/default/files/uaa25614.pdf |archive-date=25 December 2014 |access-date=25 December 2014 |publisher=[[Amnesty International]]}}</ref> According to some organizations, over 4,000 Shia expatriates have been deported from the UAE;<ref>[http://majlis.org.uk/thousands-of-shias-coercively-deported-from-uae/ Thousands of Shias Coercively deported from UAE – Majlis-e-Ulama-e-Shia Europe] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141225122717/http://majlis.org.uk/thousands-of-shias-coercively-deported-from-uae/|date=25 December 2014}}. Majlis.org.uk. Retrieved on 21 August 2018.</ref><ref>Luca, Ana Maria (5 June 2013) [https://web.archive.org/web/20141225122615/https://now.mmedia.me/lb/en/reportsfeatures/hezbollah-and-the-gulf Hezbollah and the Gulf]. mmedia.me</ref> including Lebanese Shia families for their alleged sympathies for [[Hezbollah]].<ref>{{cite web |year=2013 |title=UAE Deports 125 Lebanese Citizens |url=https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2013/02/uae-deports-lebanese-expatriates.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141225122306/http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2013/02/uae-deports-lebanese-expatriates.html |archive-date=25 December 2014 |work=Al Monitor}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |year=2010 |title=UAE/Lebanon: Allow Lebanese/Palestinian Deportees to Appeal |url=https://www.hrw.org/news/2010/07/19/uaelebanon-allow-lebanesegazan-deportees-appeal |publisher=Human Rights Watch |access-date=28 March 2024 |archive-date=3 January 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150103213242/http://www.hrw.org/news/2010/07/19/uaelebanon-allow-lebanesegazan-deportees-appeal |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Wigglesworth |first1=Robin |date=19 July 2010 |title=UAE urged to allow appeal on deportations |work=[[Financial Times]] |url=http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/0/37f1883c-934d-11df-bb9a-00144feab49a.html |url-status=dead |access-date=16 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170525062330/https://www.ft.com/content/37f1883c-934d-11df-bb9a-00144feab49a |archive-date=25 May 2017}}</ref> In 2013, 94 Emirati activists were held in secret detention centres and put on trial for allegedly attempting to overthrow the government;<ref>{{cite web |author=Hearst, David |year=2013 |title=The UAE's bizarre, political trial of 94 activists |url=https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/mar/06/uae-trial-94-activists |work=[[The Guardian]] |access-date=13 December 2016 |archive-date=20 February 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170220095051/https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/mar/06/uae-trial-94-activists |url-status=live }}</ref> a relative of a defendant was arrested for tweeting about the trial, and sentenced to 10 months in jail.<ref>{{cite news |author=Brumfield, Ben |author2=Faraj, Caroline |author3=Abedine, Saad |date=11 April 2013 |title=Man faces 10 months jail for tweets about trial in UAE |publisher=CNN |url=http://www.cnn.com/2013/04/11/world/meast/uae-twitter-jail/ |access-date=18 April 2013 |archive-date=16 April 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130416071152/http://www.cnn.com/2013/04/11/world/meast/uae-twitter-jail |url-status=live }}</ref> The latest forced disappearance involves [[Disappearance of the Al-Suwaidi sisters|three sisters from Abu Dhabi]].<ref name="Amnesty">[https://www.amnesty.org/en/articles/news/2015/02/uae-three-women-held-in-secret-detention-over-tweets/ UAE Three women held in secret detention over tweets|Amnesty International] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150518091038/https://www.amnesty.org/en/articles/news/2015/02/uae-three-women-held-in-secret-detention-over-tweets/ |date=18 May 2015 }}. Amnesty.org (27 February 2015). Retrieved 26 November 2015.</ref>

[[Sara Jacobs]] held foreign actors, including the UAE, responsible for the [[Sudanese civil war (2023–present)|humanitarian crisis in Sudan]]. She expressed her views in March 2024 visit to the refugee camps, stating the children in Sudan are living with extensive trauma. The US representative also claimed that the war could be quickly ended if the involvement of countries like the UAE is stopped. Jacobs also said that the US is morally obligated to take measures and stop the arms to the Emirates, until the UAE stops providing weapons to the RSF.<ref>{{cite news|title=One of the fastest ways to end Sudan's civil war is to stop the UAE's involvement|date=8 July 2024|url=https://thehill.com/opinion/4814013-sudan-children-war-crisis/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240820082007/https://thehill.com/opinion/4814013-sudan-children-war-crisis/|archive-date=20 August 2024|access-date=3 September 2024|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Rep. Sara Jacobs Pens Op-Ed: U.S. Must Stop Arms Sales to the UAE Until They Stop Arming the RSF in Sudan War|date=7 August 2024|url=https://sarajacobs.house.gov/news/press-releases/rep-sara-jacobs-pens-op-ed-us-must-stop-arms-sales-to-the-uae-until-they-stop-arming-the-rsf-in-sudan-war |access-date=3 September 2024}}</ref>

On 29 March 2024, Sudan filed a 78-page formal complaint with the [[United Nations Security Council]] (UNSC), accusing the UAE of planning and backing the [[Rapid Support Forces]] (RSF) militias' against the Sudanese army. The Emirates was allegedly taking assistance from [[Chad]], which acted as a channel for military supplies and mercenaries to reach RSF in Sudan.<ref>{{cite news|title=Sudan demands UN condemnation of UAE support for RSF|date=29 March 2024|url=https://sudantribune.com/article283888/ |access-date=16 October 2024}}</ref> Human rights organizations pointed out that Sudan's conflict was among the "world's worst humanitarian crisis", while foreign nations like the UAE continued to supply weapons and equipment to the warring parties.<ref>{{cite news|title=Sudan: Abusive Warring Parties Acquire New Weapons|date=9 September 2024|url=https://www.hrw.org/news/2024/09/09/sudan-abusive-warring-parties-acquire-new-weapons |access-date=16 October 2024}}</ref> Reports also revealed that the Emirates claimed of carrying out a humanitarian campaign to provide aid for Sudanese people. In fact, it was expanding a covert operation of funneling weapons, money and even powerful drones for the militias in Sudan. Officials said the UAE was playing the most consequential role by inflaming the crisis, while pledging to ease it.<ref name="nytimes.com">{{cite news|title=How a U.S. Ally Uses Aid as a Cover in War|work=The New York Times |date=21 September 2024|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/09/21/world/africa/uae-sudan-civil-war.html |access-date=16 October 2024 |last1=Walsh |first1=Declan |last2=Koettl |first2=Christoph }}</ref> In October 2024, Sudan wrote a second official letter to the UNSC, calling for it to take strong action against the UAE's continued aggression towards Sudan. The Sudanese Foreign Ministry also claimed that the UAE is not just an indirect supporter of RSF, but rather a "vicious frontline player in the war of aggression" against Sudan.<ref name="nytimes.com"/><ref>{{cite news|title=Sudan reiterates accusations of UAE support for RSF, urges UN action|date=12 October 2024|url=https://sudantribune.com/article291983/#google_vignette |access-date=16 October 2024}}</ref>

In December 2024, ECDHR highlighted UAE's human rights issues and absence of judicial independence, mainly focusing on unfair trials leading defendants to face barbaric detention conditions. Such trials are often held in secrecy and the defendants' lawyers are neglected from accessing case files and court documents. The UAE's 2014 Counter-Terrorism Law is used to enforce travel bans, life imprisonment and even death penalty for peaceful critics of the regime and those managing an organization. ECDHR stated that the UAE's counterterrorism law represses freedom of expression and called for the Emirati government to amend it. Pointing that the country's judicial system requires more transparency and independence, the rights organization said that an independent committee must be set up to review all allegations of torture, incommunicado detention, and unfair trials.<ref>{{cite news|title=Undermining Justice: The UAE's Struggle with Judicial Independence, Human Rights, and Unfair Trials |date=30 December 2024 |url=https://www.ecdhr.org/undermining-justice-the-uaes-struggle-with-judicial-independence-human-rights-and-unfair-trials/ |website=ECDHR |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250107125606/https://www.ecdhr.org/undermining-justice-the-uaes-struggle-with-judicial-independence-human-rights-and-unfair-trials/ |archive-date=7 January 2025 |access-date=8 January 2025}}</ref><br>

In January 2025, [[Human Rights Watch]] (HRW) published a report highlighting the human rights abuses committed by the UAE in 2024, majorly focusing on the unfair mass trial. It pointed out to the case involving multiple significant violations, where 44 individuals who were part of “UAE94” were unjustly convicted and sentenced on terrorism-related charges. HRW criticized the UAE's use of Federal Penal Code and the Cybercrime Law to silence government critics, journalists, dissidents and activists, while restricting their freedom of expression. In July 2024, Emirati authorities sentenced 57 Bangladeshi to life imprisonment, over protests in the UAE against their home government. The report accused the UAE of whitewashing its image by hosting major global events like COP28, which faced criticism for its ongoing contribution to fossil fuel production and human rights violations. It also raised concerns about the UAE's role in arming and supporting RSF in the conflict in Sudan, meanwhile violating the UN arms embargo. HRW urged the UNSC to renew and enforce the Sudan 1591 sanctions, and to impose sanctions on violators, including those in the UAE.<ref>{{cite news|title=World Report 2024: United Arab Emirates |date=11 January 2025 |url=https://www.hrw.org/world-report/2025/country-chapters/united-arab-emirates |website=HRW |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250117114951/https://www.hrw.org/world-report/2025/country-chapters/united-arab-emirates |archive-date=17 January 2025 |access-date=6 February 2025}}</ref>

=== Migrant workers ===
{{Main|Migrant workers in the United Arab Emirates|Migrant workers in the Gulf Cooperation Council region}}
[[File:Burj Dubai Construction Workers on 25 January 2008 Pict 2.jpg|thumb|right|Two South Asian [[blue-collar workers]] posing for a picture with the [[Burj Khalifa]] on the background]]

Migrant workers in the UAE are not allowed to join trade unions or go on strike. Those who strike may risk prison and deportation,<ref name="mig">{{cite web|url=http://survey.ituc-csi.org/United-Arab-Emirates.html?lang=en#tabs-3|title=United Arab Emirates|work=International Trade Union Confederation|access-date=27 October 2014|archive-date=1 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180101224409/https://survey.ituc-csi.org/United-Arab-Emirates.html?lang=en#tabs-3|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://survey.ituc-csi.org/United-Arab-Emirates.html?lang=en#tabs-2|title=United Arab Emirates|work=International Trade Union Confederation|access-date=14 October 2014|archive-date=1 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180101224409/https://survey.ituc-csi.org/United-Arab-Emirates.html?lang=en#tabs-2|url-status=live}}</ref> as seen in 2014 when dozens of workers were deported for striking.<ref>[https://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/dec/22/abu-dhabi-migrant-workers-conditions-shame-west Conditions for Abu Dhabi's migrant workers 'shame the west' | World news] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180125023446/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/dec/22/abu-dhabi-migrant-workers-conditions-shame-west |date=25 January 2018 }}. ''The Guardian'' (22 December 2013). Retrieved on 21 August 2018.</ref> The [[International Trade Union Confederation]] has called on the [[United Nations]] to investigate evidence that thousands of migrant workers in the UAE are treated as slave labour.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2014/sep/13/migrant-workers-uae-gulf-states-un-ituc|title=Call for UN to investigate plight of migrant workers in the UAE|newspaper=The Guardian|date=13 September 2014|last1=Batty|first1=David|access-date=13 December 2016|archive-date=12 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180212225943/https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2014/sep/13/migrant-workers-uae-gulf-states-un-ituc|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2019, an investigation performed by ''The Guardian'' revealed that thousands of migrant construction workers employed on infrastructure and building projects for the UAE's [[Expo 2020]] exhibition were working in an unsafe environment. Some were even exposed to potentially fatal situations due to cardiovascular issues. Long hours in the sun made them vulnerable to heat strokes.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2019/oct/03/workers-at-dubai-expo-2020-heat-stress|title=Workers at Dubai's Expo 2020 likely to have suffered dangerous heat stress|access-date=3 October 2019|work=The Guardian|date=3 October 2019|archive-date=3 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191003141918/https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2019/oct/03/workers-at-dubai-expo-2020-heat-stress|url-status=live}}</ref>

A report in January 2020 highlighted that the employers in the United Arab Emirates have been exploiting the Indian labor and hiring them on [[Travel visa|tourist visas]], which is easier and cheaper than [[work permit]]s. These [[migrant worker]]s are left open to [[Labor rights|labor abuse]], where they also fear reporting exploitation due to their illegal status. Besides, the issue remains unknown as the visit visa data is not maintained in both the UAE and Indian [[Human migration|migration]] and employment records.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://weeklyreviewer.com/tourist-visa-scam-traps-indian-workers-in-abusive-jobs-in-uae-news/|title=Tourist visa scam traps Indian workers in abusive jobs in UAE|date=15 January 2020|access-date=15 January 2020|website=Weekly Reviewer|archive-date=16 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200116091345/https://weeklyreviewer.com/tourist-visa-scam-traps-indian-workers-in-abusive-jobs-in-uae-news/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

[[File:Dubai workers angsana burj.jpg|thumb|left|Dubai construction workers having a lunch break]]
In a 22 July 2020 news piece, ''Reuters'' reported [[human rights]] groups as saying conditions had deteriorated because of the [[COVID-19 pandemic]]. Many migrant workers racked up debt and depended on the help of charities. The report cited salary delays and layoffs as a major risk, in addition to overcrowded living conditions, lack of support and problems linked with healthcare and sick pay. Reuters reported at least 200,000 workers, mostly from India but also from Pakistan, Bangladesh, the Philippines and Nepal, had been repatriated, according to their diplomatic missions.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-emirates-jobs/uaes-migrant-workers-fret-over-future-in-coronavirus-economy-idUSKCN24N0Q7|title=UAE's migrant workers fret over future in coronavirus economy|access-date=22 July 2020|website=Reuters|date=22 July 2020|archive-date=23 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200723151341/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-emirates-jobs/uaes-migrant-workers-fret-over-future-in-coronavirus-economy-idUSKCN24N0Q7|url-status=live}}</ref>

On 2 May 2020, the Consul General of India in [[Dubai]], Vipul, confirmed that more than 150,000 Indians in the United Arab Emirates registered to be repatriated through the e-registration option provided by Indian consulates in the UAE. According to the figures, 25% of applicants lost their jobs and nearly 15% were stranded in the country due to lockdown. Besides, 50% of the total applicants were from the state of [[Kerala]], India.<ref>{{cite web|title=150,000 Indians in UAE register to fly home during coronavirus pandemic|url=https://gulfnews.com/uae/150000-indians-in-uae-register-to-fly-home-during-coronavirus-pandemic-1.71297349|access-date=2 May 2020|website=Gulf News|date=2 May 2020|archive-date=3 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200503015519/https://gulfnews.com/uae/150000-indians-in-uae-register-to-fly-home-during-coronavirus-pandemic-1.71297349|url-status=live}}</ref>

On 9 October 2020, ''The Telegraph'' reported that many migrant workers were left abandoned, as they lost their jobs amidst the tightening economy due to [[COVID-19]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2020/10/09/homeless-migrants-sleep-rough-beneath-dubais-skyscrapers-covid/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220110/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2020/10/09/homeless-migrants-sleep-rough-beneath-dubais-skyscrapers-covid/ |archive-date=10 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Homeless migrants sleep rough beneath Dubai's skyscrapers as Covid employment crisis bites|access-date=9 October 2020|website=The Telegraph|date=9 October 2020|last1=Stewart|first1=Ashleigh}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

Various human rights organisations have raised serious concerns about the alleged abuse of migrant workers by major contractors organising Expo 2020. UAE's business solution provider German Pavilion is also held accountable for abusing migrant workers.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20210507-german-company-using-uae-firm-with-record-of-migrant-worker-abuse-rights-group-says/|title=German company using UAE firm with record of migrant worker abuse, rights group says|date=7 May 2021|access-date=7 May 2021|publisher=Middle East Monitor|archive-date=4 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230404024418/https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20210507-german-company-using-uae-firm-with-record-of-migrant-worker-abuse-rights-group-says/|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Environmental policy ===
{{Further|Environmental issues in the United Arab Emirates}}
The country is a leading [[oil and gas|oil and gas producer]]. Its [[energy consumption|energy consumption per capita]] is around 370 [[Gigajoule]]. The UAE's [[List of countries by carbon dioxide emissions per capita|carbon dioxide emissions per capita]] are high, ranking sixth among countries globally.<ref>{{cite web|title=EDGAR – The Emissions Database for Global Atmospheric Research|url=https://edgar.jrc.ec.europa.eu/report_2020#emissions_table|access-date=24 April 2021|website=edgar.jrc.ec.europa.eu|archive-date=21 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210421035337/https://edgar.jrc.ec.europa.eu/report_2020#emissions_table|url-status=live}}</ref> Recently, it made efforts to make itself more sustainable. Those include:<ref>{{cite web |title=United Arab Emirates |url=https://www.weforum.org/publications/fostering-effective-energy-transition-2023/in-full/united-arab-emirates/ |website=World Economic Forum |access-date=1 February 2024 |archive-date=1 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240201115951/https://www.weforum.org/publications/fostering-effective-energy-transition-2023/in-full/united-arab-emirates/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

* Setting a target to reduce [[GHG emissions]] by 31% in comparison to business scenario by 2030 and reach [[Net zero emissions|net zero]] by 2050.
* Launching a program to make the 3 most emissions-intensive sectors, 40% more [[Efficient energy use|energy efficient]].
* Launching some programs related to [[green building]]. [[Retrofitting]] of 30,000 buildings alone, should cut 1 million tons emissions.
* Promoting [[public transport]] and more.

According to official sources, in Dubai, "the share of mass transport in people's mobility increased from 6 per cent in 2006 to 20.61 per cent in 2022."<ref>{{cite news |title=Dubai: 1.8 million people used public transport daily this year |url=https://www.khaleejtimes.com/transport/uae/dubai-1-8-million-people-used-public-transport-daily-this-year |agency=Khaleej Times |date=15 November 2023 |access-date=28 March 2024 |archive-date=1 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240201120048/https://www.khaleejtimes.com/transport/uae/dubai-1-8-million-people-used-public-transport-daily-this-year |url-status=live }}</ref> Together with the USA the country invested 17 billion dollars in [[sustainable agriculture]].<ref>{{cite news |title=COP28: US-UAE climate-friendly farming effort grows to $17 bln |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/cop28-us-uae-climate-friendly-farming-effort-grows-17-bln-2023-12-08/ |access-date=1 February 2024 |work=Reuters |date=9 December 2023 |archive-date=20 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240120141232/https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/cop28-us-uae-climate-friendly-farming-effort-grows-17-bln-2023-12-08/ |url-status=live }}</ref>