Editing United Arab Emirates (section)

=== 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>