The UAE is to permit women to undergo abortions in cases where the pregnancy was a result of rape or incest.
The decision marks a key milestone in the UAE's evolving abortion laws, with experts saying it will serve to bolster the health and safety of women living in the Emirates.
The Cabinet Resolution No. (44) of 2024 related to the Medical Liability law states that abortion is allowed "if the pregnancy is the result of intercourse with a female against her will, without her consent, or without adequate volition" and "if the person who caused the pregnancy is an ancestor of the woman or one of her mahram [ineligible for marriage] relatives".
The rape or incest must be immediately reported to authorities and subsequently proven by an official report from the Public Prosecution.
The foetus must be less than 120 days old at the time of the abortion procedure, the resolution states, and the abortion should be free of any medical complications that may put the woman’s life at high risk.
The law applies to residents who have been in the UAE for at least a year.
"The UAE has a penal code and has laws and procedures in place to penalise and hold perpetrators accountable, what we needed now were legislations to help resolve what may have resulted because of these crimes," a source close to the matter said.
"We needed legislations to protect women, children and families."
She said women would often resort to unlicensed clinics or travel abroad for abortions "risking their life in the process".
According to Article (406) of The Crimes and Penalties Law, the punishment for rape in the UAE is life imprisonment and the death penalty if the victim is under the age of 18 or "has a physical disability or suffers from a health condition that renders her unable to resist, or if the perpetrator is one of the victim's ascendants or non-marriageable relatives".
The cabinet resolution will come into effect once announced in the UAE's Official Gazette.
Positive step
Dr Paul Bosio, chief medical officer at Corniche Hospital in Abu Dhabi, has welcomed the resolution.
“The new cabinet resolution aims to preserve the health and safety of women and society and as such, it is a significant positive development," he told The National.
He said the existing law already allowed for abortions when pregnancies affected by severe risks to the life of the mother and deadly abnormalities in the baby.
"This resolution now adds pregnancies through coercion, invalid consent or incestuous relationships as possible indications as well as giving the mother the full consent and authority to request the procedure," he said.
"In addition, the resolution puts in place strict processes to authorise, deliver and control all abortion cases. Although the new indications are extremely rare occurrences, these new provisions make this law now one of the most progressive and safe abortion laws in the world."
The new directives are the latest significant change to the UAE's abortion laws.
In October, new legislation came into effect enabling women in the country to undergo emergency abortions without the consent of their husband.
It allows women to terminate their pregnancy if a medical report states that their own life, or that of their unborn child, is at risk.
The procedure is only granted after the woman has given her consent, or if her consent is not possible, her husband or guardian. The consent of any of them is not required in emergency cases where a life is immediately in danger.
Stringent rules in place
Earlier this month, the Ministry of Health and Prevention issued new protocols to define and regulate cases of permissible abortion in the UAE.
The new regulations stipulate that the decision on abortion requests shall be made by a dedicated committee that will be formed within each health authority, by the health minister or the head of an emirate’s health authority.
The committee should comprise three doctors, one of them is an obstetrics and gynaecology specialist, the second is a psychiatry specialist, in addition to a representative of the public prosecution.
The regulation mandates that the abortion procedure should be performed in a healthcare facility licensed by the competent health authority and by a specialist obstetrician-gynecologist licensed to practise within the country, and that the abortion should be free of any medical complications that may put the pregnant woman’s life at risk.
Additionally, the resolution mandates medical and social counselling for women, before and after the procedure.
Protecting women's rights
"This new legislation marks a significant advancement in women's healthcare and legal rights in the UAE," said Byron James, partner and head of UAE firm Expatriate Law.
"By clearly defining permissible cases and establishing stringent procedures, it not only protects women's health but also aligns with international best practices.
“One of the primary objectives of the new legislation is to protect women's health and maintain societal stability by clearly defining the conditions and procedures for permissible abortions. Additionally, the legislation aims to minimise illegal and unsafe abortion practices, addressing a growing concern in recent years.
“Under the new regulations, abortions are explicitly permitted in cases of rape or incest, provided these situations are supported by an official report from the competent public prosecution."
A changing legal landscape
Abortion is prohibited in 24 countries, including Andorra, Poland, the Dominican Republic, Egypt, El Salvador, Jamaica, Iraq, Malta, the Philippines and Sierra Leone.
In March, France became the first country in the world to make a woman's choice to request an abortion a right enshrined in the constitution.
Other countries, such as Mexico, Argentina, Colombia and Ireland, have relaxed abortion restrictions. In 2018, Ireland voted to remove an abortion ban from its constitution, and the procedure is now permitted up to the 12th week of pregnancy, when the health or life of a mother is at risk, or when the foetus has a congenital defect.
In June 2022, the US Supreme Court overturned the constitutional right to an abortion, reversing Roe v Wade, which was upheld for about half a century.
The decision meant that abortion is completely banned in 14 states, while two – Georgia and South Carolina – have banned abortion past about six weeks of pregnancy.
Other states have enacted laws or held ballot referendums to protect abortion rights.
The First Monday in May
Director: Andrew Rossi
Starring: Anna Wintour, Karl Lagerfeld, John Paul Gaultier, Rihanna
Three stars
Company profile
Name: Tratok Portal
Founded: 2017
Based: UAE
Sector: Travel & tourism
Size: 36 employees
Funding: Privately funded
SPECS
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MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW
Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman
Director: Jesse Armstrong
Rating: 3.5/5
if you go
The flights
Etihad flies direct from Abu Dhabi to San Francisco from Dh5,760 return including taxes.
The car
Etihad Guest members get a 10 per cent worldwide discount when booking with Hertz, as well as earning miles on their rentals (more at www.hertz.com/etihad). A week's car hire costs from Dh1,500 including taxes.
The hotels
Along the route, Motel 6 (www.motel6.com) offers good value and comfort, with rooms from $55 (Dh202) per night including taxes. In Portland, the Jupiter Hotel (https://jupiterhotel.com/) has rooms from $165 (Dh606) per night including taxes. The Society Hotel https://thesocietyhotel.com/ has rooms from $130 (Dh478) per night including taxes.
More info
To keep up with constant developments in Portland, visit www.travelportland.com
Pakistan Super League
Previous winners
2016 Islamabad United
2017 Peshawar Zalmi
2018 Islamabad United
2019 Quetta Gladiators
Most runs Kamran Akmal – 1,286
Most wickets Wahab Riaz –65
Ferrari 12Cilindri specs
Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12
Power: 819hp
Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm
Price: From Dh1,700,000
Available: Now
Volvo ES90 Specs
Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)
Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp
Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm
On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region
Price: Exact regional pricing TBA
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
The five pillars of Islam
MATCH INFO
Confederations Cup Group B
Germany v Chile
Kick-off: Thursday, 10pm (UAE)
Where: Kazan Arena, Kazan
Watch live: Abu Dhabi Sports HD
The Programme
Saturday, October 26: ‘The Time That Remains’ (2009) by Elia Suleiman
Saturday, November 2: ‘Beginners’ (2010) by Mike Mills
Saturday, November 16: ‘Finding Vivian Maier’ (2013) by John Maloof and Charlie Siskel
Tuesday, November 26: ‘All the President’s Men’ (1976) by Alan J Pakula
Saturday, December 7: ‘Timbuktu’ (2014) by Abderrahmane Sissako
Saturday, December 21: ‘Rams’ (2015) by Grimur Hakonarson
Ticket prices
- Golden circle - Dh995
- Floor Standing - Dh495
- Lower Bowl Platinum - Dh95
- Lower Bowl premium - Dh795
- Lower Bowl Plus - Dh695
- Lower Bowl Standard- Dh595
- Upper Bowl Premium - Dh395
- Upper Bowl standard - Dh295
Earth under attack: Cosmic impacts throughout history
- 4.5 billion years ago: Mars-sized object smashes into the newly-formed Earth, creating debris that coalesces to form the Moon
- 66 million years ago: 10km-wide asteroid crashes into the Gulf of Mexico, wiping out over 70 per cent of living species – including the dinosaurs.
- 50,000 years ago: 50m-wide iron meteor crashes in Arizona with the violence of 10 megatonne hydrogen bomb, creating the famous 1.2km-wide Barringer Crater
- 1490: Meteor storm over Shansi Province, north-east China when large stones “fell like rain”, reportedly leading to thousands of deaths.
- 1908: 100-metre meteor from the Taurid Complex explodes near the Tunguska river in Siberia with the force of 1,000 Hiroshima-type bombs, devastating 2,000 square kilometres of forest.
- 1998: Comet Shoemaker-Levy 9 breaks apart and crashes into Jupiter in series of impacts that would have annihilated life on Earth.
-2013: 10,000-tonne meteor burns up over the southern Urals region of Russia, releasing a pressure blast and flash that left over 1600 people injured.
Lexus LX700h specs
Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor
Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh590,000
How Islam's view of posthumous transplant surgery changed
Transplants from the deceased have been carried out in hospitals across the globe for decades, but in some countries in the Middle East, including the UAE, the practise was banned until relatively recently.
Opinion has been divided as to whether organ donations from a deceased person is permissible in Islam.
The body is viewed as sacred, during and after death, thus prohibiting cremation and tattoos.
One school of thought viewed the removal of organs after death as equally impermissible.
That view has largely changed, and among scholars and indeed many in society, to be seen as permissible to save another life.
More coverage from the Future Forum
Company%20Profile
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The BIO:
He became the first Emirati to climb Mount Everest in 2011, from the south section in Nepal
He ascended Mount Everest the next year from the more treacherous north Tibetan side
By 2015, he had completed the Explorers Grand Slam
Last year, he conquered K2, the world’s second-highest mountain located on the Pakistan-Chinese border
He carries dried camel meat, dried dates and a wheat mixture for the final summit push
His new goal is to climb 14 peaks that are more than 8,000 metres above sea level
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
What can victims do?
Always use only regulated platforms
Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion
Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)
Report to local authorities
Warn others to prevent further harm
Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence
ENGLAND%20SQUAD
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The years Ramadan fell in May
SPECS
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F1 The Movie
Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem
Director: Joseph Kosinski
Rating: 4/5
Conflict, drought, famine
Estimates of the number of deaths caused by the famine range from 400,000 to 1 million, according to a document prepared for the UK House of Lords in 2024.
It has been claimed that the policies of the Ethiopian government, which took control after deposing Emperor Haile Selassie in a military-led revolution in 1974, contributed to the scale of the famine.
Dr Miriam Bradley, senior lecturer in humanitarian studies at the University of Manchester, has argued that, by the early 1980s, “several government policies combined to cause, rather than prevent, a famine which lasted from 1983 to 1985. Mengistu’s government imposed Stalinist-model agricultural policies involving forced collectivisation and villagisation [relocation of communities into planned villages].
The West became aware of the catastrophe through a series of BBC News reports by journalist Michael Buerk in October 1984 describing a “biblical famine” and containing graphic images of thousands of people, including children, facing starvation.
Band Aid
Bob Geldof, singer with the Irish rock group The Boomtown Rats, formed Band Aid in response to the horrific images shown in the news broadcasts.
With Midge Ure of the band Ultravox, he wrote the hit charity single Do They Know it’s Christmas in December 1984, featuring a string of high-profile musicians.
Following the single’s success, the idea to stage a rock concert evolved.
Live Aid was a series of simultaneous concerts that took place at Wembley Stadium in London, John F Kennedy Stadium in Philadelphia, the US, and at various other venues across the world.
The combined event was broadcast to an estimated worldwide audience of 1.5 billion.
ALRAWABI%20SCHOOL%20FOR%20GIRLS
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England World Cup squad
Eoin Morgan (capt), Moeen Ali, Jofra Archer, Jonny Bairstow, Jos Buttler (wkt), Tom Curran, Liam Dawson, Liam Plunkett, Adil Rashid, Joe Root, Jason Roy, Ben Stokes, James Vince, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbo
Power: 240hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 390Nm at 3,000rpm
Transmission: eight-speed auto
Price: from Dh122,745
On sale: now
Company%20Profile
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Company Profile:
Name: The Protein Bakeshop
Date of start: 2013
Founders: Rashi Chowdhary and Saad Umerani
Based: Dubai
Size, number of employees: 12
Funding/investors: $400,000 (2018)
The specs
Engine: Dual 180kW and 300kW front and rear motors
Power: 480kW
Torque: 850Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Price: From Dh359,900 ($98,000)
On sale: Now
2.0
Director: S Shankar
Producer: Lyca Productions; presented by Dharma Films
Cast: Rajnikanth, Akshay Kumar, Amy Jackson, Sudhanshu Pandey
Rating: 3.5/5 stars
Match info
Deccan Gladiators 87-8
Asif Khan 25, Dwayne Bravo 2-16
Maratha Arabians 89-2
Chadwick Walton 51 not out
Arabians won the final by eight wickets
About Proto21
Date started: May 2018
Founder: Pir Arkam
Based: Dubai
Sector: Additive manufacturing (aka, 3D printing)
Staff: 18
Funding: Invested, supported and partnered by Joseph Group
