National Editorial: The biggest change yet to UAE laws
The UAE has overhauled its drug laws to cut minimum sentences, provide leniency for first-time offenders and put a sharper focus on rehabilitation over punishment.
In a series of sweeping changes, people convicted of drug use and possession will serve time in secure detention offering treatment and education programmes rather than in prison with other convicts.
Deportation for expats in drug use and possession cases is no longer mandatory, with judges able to decide if someone convicted is allowed to stay.
The changes were detailed in full in the country's Official Gazette.
First-time offenders can receive minimum sentences of three months as part of an approach aimed at integrating drug users back into society but imposing tougher punishments for serial offenders.
The UAE previously reduced minimum sentences from four years to two in 2016.
Carrying food, drinks or any other products which contains marijuana, hashish or THC, found in cannabis, will no longer be a criminal offence. Instead, such items will be confiscated and destroyed.
The new legislation was outlined in the Official Gazette and will come into effect on January 2.
The move forms part of the most extensive reforms to the legal system in the country's history, announced by the President, Sheikh Khalifa on Saturday.
Changes include greater protection of personal data, stronger copyright rules and tackling fake news.
More than 40 laws are included. Some are new, while others are updated versions of existing legislation.
Three-month sentence for first offence
Article 41 of the new law states that first-time offenders will be sentenced to prison for at least three months and be fined between Dh20,000 and Dh100,000 ($5,445 and $27,225).
If they repeat the offence within three years, the sentence will be a minimum of six months with a fine of between Dh30,000 and Dh100,000.
For a third offence, a minimum sentence of two years will be imposed and the fine will be at least Dh100,000.
“The legislator gave the court freedom to decide the penalty between either imprisonment or fine in the first and second instances but in the third instance, a penalty of combined prison and fine is mandatory,” said Dr Hasan Elhais, of Al Rowaad Advocates.
Specialist detention centres instead of prison
The law sets out plans for the Ministry of Health and Prevention to establish dedicated centres where those convicted of drug use or possession will serve their terms.
These will provide treatment and rehabilitation programmes, sports and vocational training, as well as family, occupational and social integration initiatives.
'Recognising illness not crime'
Article 45 of the new law allows courts to prioritise treatment for first-time offenders.
“We can clearly see a recognition of the need for a co-ordinated approach that considers criminal justice and public health in regards to using drugs,” legal consultant Dr Elhais said.
“While justice is at the heart of the new law, we can also see how the issue of using drugs is being looked at as an illness rather than a crime."
The previous law required courts to order deportation against expatriates in drug-related cases.
“But deportation against expats is now optional for judges in cases of personal use, possession or possession with the intent to use as per the new law’s article 75,” Dr Elhais said.
“The legislative philosophy behind the amendments is coherent in the way it's considering multiple factors including health, justice, sense of security and family.”
Second chance
Ahmed Ibrahim Saif, senior judge at the Dubai Civil Court and former chief justice of Dubai's Criminal Courts, said changes to the legal system were in line with the UAE's tolerant principles.
“In this recent change, reform is further prioritised, offenders are given second chances and are spared loss of successful futures and decent living they have in the country,” he said.
Mr Saif said that deportation can be a harsh punishment, though necessary in more serious cases.
“Now, it's becoming flexible in terms of allowing judges to decide it rather than keeping it mandatory,” he said.
The official believes it is a step in the right direction, particularly in cases that involve using controlled medicine.
“For example, someone in court for using a controlled medicine without a prescription must be deported according to the previous law, but now they are given a second chance,” he said.
“If they do it again, then they only have themselves to blame if judges decided to deport them.”
Tough stance on trafficking remains in place
Under the updated laws, the fine against offenders for encouraging personal drug use among others was increased from Dh20,000 to a minimum of Dh50,000, while the prison term of a minimum of five years remains unchanged.
Should this happen with the intent of causing harm to the other person, the fine would rise to up to Dh100,000 instead of the previous Dh20,000 but the minimum prison term of seven years remain the same.
In the event of serious harm, the penalty is imprisonment for at least 10 years and a minimum fine of Dh200,00, up from Dh20,000.
UAE's legal reforms
THE BIO
Born: Mukalla, Yemen, 1979
Education: UAE University, Al Ain
Family: Married with two daughters: Asayel, 7, and Sara, 6
Favourite piece of music: Horse Dance by Naseer Shamma
Favourite book: Science and geology
Favourite place to travel to: Washington DC
Best advice you’ve ever been given: If you have a dream, you have to believe it, then you will see it.
Key findings of Jenkins report
- Founder of the Muslim Brotherhood, Hassan al Banna, "accepted the political utility of violence"
- Views of key Muslim Brotherhood ideologue, Sayyid Qutb, have “consistently been understood” as permitting “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” and “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
- Muslim Brotherhood at all levels has repeatedly defended Hamas attacks against Israel, including the use of suicide bombers and the killing of civilians.
- Laying out the report in the House of Commons, David Cameron told MPs: "The main findings of the review support the conclusion that membership of, association with, or influence by the Muslim Brotherhood should be considered as a possible indicator of extremism."
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Stars: Hrithik Roshan, NTR, Kiara Advani, Ashutosh Rana
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Red flags
- Promises of high, fixed or 'guaranteed' returns.
- Unregulated structured products or complex investments often used to bypass traditional safeguards.
- Lack of clear information, vague language, no access to audited financials.
- Overseas companies targeting investors in other jurisdictions - this can make legal recovery difficult.
- Hard-selling tactics - creating urgency, offering 'exclusive' deals.
Courtesy: Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching
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Trump has so far secured 295 Electoral College votes, according to the Associated Press, exceeding the 270 needed to win. Only Nevada and Arizona remain to be called, and both swing states are leaning Republican. Trump swept all five remaining swing states, North Carolina, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin, sealing his path to victory and giving him a strong mandate.
Popular Vote Tally
The count is ongoing, but Trump currently leads with nearly 51 per cent of the popular vote to Harris’s 47.6 per cent. Trump has over 72.2 million votes, while Harris trails with approximately 67.4 million.
Biography
Favourite book: Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance
Holiday choice: Anything Disney-related
Proudest achievement: Receiving a presidential award for foreign services.
Family: Wife and three children.
Like motto: You always get what you ask for, the universe listens.
What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
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- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
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