Dhs100,000 fine, 10 years jail as UAE tightens law for abuse-related cases

The UAE Government has issued a Federal Decree-Law amending certain provisions of the Crimes and Penalties Law, reaffirming the UAE's commitment to upholding justice, safeguarding rights, strengthening community protection and continuously updating its legislative ecosystem in line with evolving social and security developments.

- 

The new Federal Decree-Law introduces strict enhancements for offences involving sexual assault or consensual sex with minors, with a fine of not less than Dhs100,000, and imprisonment for not less than ten years.

The amendments reinforce the rule of law, enhance both general and specific deterrence, and ensure stronger protection for the most vulnerable segments of society.

The new Federal Decree-Law aligns with the UAE's ongoing efforts to modernise legislation, through regular review of laws and enhancement of their enforcement mechanisms.

The new amendments enhance the judiciary's ability to assess the criminal risk of offenders convicted in certain serious crimes. The amendments allow the judicial authorities to subject the convicted person to medical, psychological and social examinations during the last six months of their sentence, enabling a comprehensive assessment of the criminal risk based on the offender's history, behaviour, specialised tests and accredited professional reports.