United Arab Emirates
2026
- GOVERNMENT
- Federation with specific powers delegated to the federal government and other powers reserved for the individual emirates - monarchical federation
- CONSTITUTION
- December 2, 1971, made permanent in 1996
- LEGAL SYSTEM
- based on a dual system of sharia or Islamic law and civil courts
- LEGISLATIVE SYSTEM
- unicameral, Federal National Council (Majlis al-Ittihad al-Watani)
- JUDICIAL SYSTEM
- Union Supreme Court, judges are appointed by the Head of State
RELIGIONS
96% Muslims, 4% Christians and Hindus
From the country
JULY 8, 2026United Arab EmiratesDEATH PENALTYUAE: MAN SENTENCED TO DEATH FOR KILLING OF MOTHER AND TWO DAUGHTERS IN RAS AL KHAIMAH
- MARCH 31, 2025United Arab EmiratesDEATH PENALTY
UAE: 3 UZBEK NATIONALS SENTENCED TO DEATH OVER KILLING OF CHABAD RABBI
Three Uzbek nationals accused of killing Chabad Rabbi Zvi Kogan in the United Arab Emirates last year have been sentenced to death, Israeli sources in the Gulf state told Hebrew-language media on March 30, 2025.
- MARCH 6, 2025United Arab EmiratesDEATH PENALTY
UNITED ARAB EMIRATES: TWO KERALA NATIVES EXECUTED FOR MURDERS
Two Indians, natives of Kerala, were executed in the UAE on February 28, 2025 after being convicted of murder. The deceased individuals were identified as Muhammed Rinash Arangilottu and Muraleedharan Perumthatta Valappil.
- MARCH 4, 2025United Arab EmiratesDEATH PENALTY
UNITED ARAB EMIRATES: INDIAN WOMAN EXECUTED FOR INFANT’S MURDER
Shahjadi Sabbeer Khan (30), a caregiver from Uttar Pradesh’s Banda district who was sentenced to death last year in the United Arab Emirates for the alleged murder of a four-month-old infant, was executed on February 15, 2025, the Ministry of External Aff
- JANUARY 16, 2024United Arab EmiratesDEATH PENALTY
UAE: MAN SENTENCED TO DEATH FOR PREMEDITATED MURDER OF GIRLFRIEND
The Dubai Criminal Court has sentenced an Arab man to death for the premeditated murder of his European girlfriend, Gulf News reported on Janury 16, 2024.
- JUNE 27, 2023United Arab EmiratesDEATH PENALTY
UAE: 2 OF 3 PARDONED FILIPINOS SAVED FROM DEATH ROW
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has pardoned three Filipino convicts — two of them on death row for drug trafficking and one with a 15-year sentence for slander, the Palace disclosed on June 23, 2023.
- JUNE 20, 2023United Arab EmiratesDEATH PENALTY
UNITED ARAB EMIRATES: FOUR ASIANS SENTENCED TO DEATH FOR DRUG TRAFFICKING
The Grand Criminal Court at the Federal Primary Court in Abu Dhabi issued a unanimous verdict to execute 4 defendants of Asian nationalities after convicting them of charges related to the importation and trafficking of drugs, Emirates 24|7 reported on Ju
- JUNE 2, 2023United Arab EmiratesDEATH PENALTY
USA - U.N. Body Condemns Torture of Guantánamo Prisoner Awaiting Capital Trial
Together with United Arab Emirates, Afghanistan, Lithuania, Morocco, Poland, Romania and Thailand
- MARCH 27, 2023United Arab EmiratesDEATH PENALTY
ISRAELI SENTENCED TO DEATH IN UAE RETURNS HOME
Fida Kiwan, a Haifa native who was sentenced to death in the United Arab Emirates for drug trafficking, was pardoned by the UAE and given leave to return home, according to a March 25, 2023 Walla! report.
JULY 21, 2022United Arab EmiratesDEATH PENALTYUAE: MAN SENTENCED TO DEATH FOR VIOLENT KILLING OF EMPLOYER
The Ajman Criminal Court sentenced a 30-year-old Asian national to death after he was convicted of murdering his employer, Khaleej Times reported on 6 July 2022.
JULY 11, 2022United Arab EmiratesDEATH PENALTYUAE: ISRAELI WOMAN SENTENCED TO LIFE IMPRISONMENT AFTER DEATH SENTENCE STRUCK DOWN
An Israeli woman was sentenced to life in prison in Dubai, her defense team announced on 7 July 2022, after her death penalty for possession of an illegal substance was overturned by an appeals court last week.
- JUNE 30, 2022United Arab EmiratesDEATH PENALTY
UAE COURT REVERSES DEATH PENALTY FOR ISRAELI FACING DRUG CHARGES
The United Arab Emirates has cancelled a death sentence issued earlier this year to an Israeli woman who was convicted of cocaine possession, her lawyer said on 28 June 2022.