Dubai: UAE President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan has approved the biggest legal reform in civil and criminal law in the UAE in 50 years. Under the new law, consensual sex with people over the age of 18 is not a crime. But it is only a crime if the husband, wife or parent complains. In such cases the penalty is not less than six months imprisonment. At the same time, the new law states that the wife, husband and parents have the power to set aside the sentence against the accused. The new law also provides protection for children who have sex outside of marriage.
At the same time, rape and unlicensed sex are punishable by life imprisonment. However, if the victim is under the age of 18, disabled, or incapable of resisting, he may face the death penalty. The penalty for indecent exposure is Dh10,000 and imprisonment. He faces up to 20 years in prison if threatened or used force during the crime. At the same time, drinking in private is no longer a crime. Under the new law, drinking alcohol in public places and other places permitted by law is an offense. Giving alcohol to people under the age of 21 and forcing them to use it is a punishable offense.