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
FEBRUARY 14, 2016United Arab EmiratesDEATH PENALTYUAE: FOUR SENTENCED TO DEATH FOR JOINING DAESH
Four men were sentenced in absentia to death for joining Daesh and fighting with the terrorist group in Syria, the Federal Supreme Court ruled.
- JANUARY 28, 2016United Arab EmiratesDEATH PENALTY
UAE: WIFE’S KILLER SENTENCED TO DEATH DESPITE FAMILY PARDON
A court of appeals in Ras Al Khaimah sentenced an Arab man to death after he was convicted of killing his wife, despite a pardon by his children.
- JANUARY 1, 2016United Arab EmiratesDEATH PENALTY
The death penalty is rarely applied in the UAE...
The death penalty is rarely applied in the UAE...
DECEMBER 14, 2015United Arab EmiratesDEATH PENALTYUAE: MAN SENTENCED TO DEATH FOR JOINING TERRORIST ORGANISATION
Zayed Yaslam Ali, an Emirati, was sentenced to death in absentia for joining a terrorist organisation, the Federal Supreme Court ruled.
NOVEMBER 1, 2015United Arab EmiratesDEATH PENALTYUAE: 2 YOUTHS ESCAPE DEATH IN KUWAITI MURDER CASE
A member of the Kuwaiti royal family and his fellow student have escaped the death penalty in a high-profile
- OCTOBER 28, 2015United Arab EmiratesDEATH PENALTY
UAE: DUO SENTENCED TO DEATH FOR MURDER
A man lost his appeal and will be executed for killing his wife in a fit of rage after she suspected him of
OCTOBER 21, 2015United Arab EmiratesDEATH PENALTYUAE: MAN SENTENCED TO DEATH IN DUBAI FOR SETTING TWO COLLEAGUES ON FIRE
A 32-year-old man was sentenced to death for setting two of his colleagues on fire, killing one of them.
- JULY 20, 2015United Arab EmiratesDEATH PENALTY
UAE IMPOSES HARSH PENALTIES FOR RELIGIOUS CRIMES
The United Arab Emirates announced new legislation imposing harsh sentences including the death penalty for crimes related to religious hatred and Sunni extremism.
- JULY 13, 2015United Arab EmiratesDEATH PENALTY
UAE: WOMAN EXECUTED FOR KILLING AMERICAN TEACHER
The United Arab Emirates executed by firing squad a UAE woman convicted of terrorism early today after
- JULY 4, 2015United Arab EmiratesDEATH PENALTY
UAE: RAK COURT UPHOLDS MAN'S DEATH SENTENCE IN MURDER CASE
The RAK (Ras al-Khaima) Court of Cassation has upheld an earlier death sentence passed against a
MAY 26, 2015United Arab EmiratesDEATH PENALTYUAE: KUWAITI STUDENT ESCAPES DEATH PENALTY
A Kuwaiti student escaped the death penalty after his victim’s family pardoned him.
- MAY 25, 2015United Arab EmiratesDEATH PENALTY
UAE: FAMILY OF MURDERED MAID ACCEPT BLOOD MONEY OVER DEATH SENTENCE
The family of an Ethiopian maid tortured to death by her employers has spared her killers the death sentence.