The United Arab Emirates said on Saturday it was cancelling lenient penalties for so-called “honor killings” and amending inheritance laws for residents as part of a reform of personal and family laws in the country.
A statement from the UAE federal government carried by the official news agency WAM said it had cancelled legal clauses that allowed judges to issue merciful sentences in “honor crimes”. The Emirati government said those crimes will now be treated by courts as normal murder cases.
Residents of the Gulf state will also have the right to choose inheritance laws to be used in each case, instead of the UAE legislation based on Sharia (Islamic religious law).
The Federal Law-Decrees mean to further enhance the UAE legislative environment, entrench the principles of tolerance in the society and strengthen the country’s position as a preferred hub that attracts people to reside and work.
The amendments also allow the UAE Attorney General, in coordination with prosecutors in local authorities, to identify cases involving misdemeanors and infractions, where Penal Order can be applied, a step that aims at reducing the burden on the judiciary, especially in cases of minor cases.
