UAE Enacts Federal Law to Amend Criminal Penal Code Provisions

The UAE government has issued sweeping amendments to its criminal law, introducing tougher penalties for sexual offenses and new post-sentence monitoring systems for dangerous criminals. The changes reflect the country's push to strengthen legal protections for minors and vulnerable groups while giving courts more tools to assess public safety risks.

**Enhanced Post-Sentence Monitoring**

The new law allows courts to evaluate convicted criminals during their final six months in prison through medical, psychological, and social assessments. If these evaluations show the person still poses a threat to society, prosecutors can ask courts to impose additional measures after the original sentence ends.

These measures include placement in rehabilitation centers, therapeutic facilities, or electronic monitoring. The system aims to balance public safety with rehabilitation efforts, giving judges discretion to extend supervision when needed.

**Stricter Sexual Offense Penalties**

The amendments introduce harsh penalties for sexual contact involving minors. Adults over 18 who engage in sexual activity with anyone under 18 now face at least 10 years in prison and fines starting at 100,000 dirhams, even if the minor consented.

The law sets 16 as the minimum age of consent and applies juvenile justice procedures to minors who engage in sexual activity with each other. This marks a significant shift toward stronger protection of children from sexual exploitation.

**New Prostitution and Solicitation Rules**

Courts can now impose minimum two-year prison sentences for encouraging or facilitating prostitution. If the victim is under 18, penalties increase to longer prison terms plus fines. These changes target those who exploit vulnerable individuals for commercial sex.

**Conditional Release Options**

The amendments also create new pathways for conditional release in certain national security cases. Courts can suspend prison sentences when there's strong evidence the convicted person has reformed, replacing incarceration with supervised release programs.

But if someone violates their release conditions or commits new crimes, courts can immediately return them to prison to serve their remaining sentence.

**Broader Legal Context**

These changes continue the UAE's pattern of updating its legal framework to address modern challenges. The country has been revising its criminal code to better handle evolving social and security issues while maintaining its position as a regional business hub.

The amendments give prosecutors and judges more flexibility in handling complex cases, particularly those involving repeat offenders or crimes against children. Legal experts see this as part of the UAE's broader effort to modernize its justice system while preserving social stability.

For international businesses and residents, the changes signal the UAE's commitment to maintaining strict law enforcement standards, especially regarding crimes that affect public safety and child welfare.