Capital Punishment in UAE

Many countries in the world have completely abolished the capital punishment. In UAE, capital punishment is still enforced from severe criminal charges. It is given to specific crimes depending upon the nature of the offense and severity of the crime. Capital punishment in UAE is for specific charges and it is a legal penalty in United Arab Emirates. The concept of capital punishment in the UAE is extracted from Islamic law. UAE legal framework is a combination of federal laws, Sharia principles, and international legal principles. Such topics always need a legal consultation with legal experts. Therefore, if the reader needs information that is more comprehensive then they can consult our top UAE lawyers and legal consultants.

Capital punishment refers to the punishment of death resulting from serious criminal charges. Any individual is executed after a detailed judicial procedure. The efforts are made to introduce less severity in punishments according to international best practices. However, in some cases, UAE remains stuck to a zero-tolerance policy.

The UAE legal system contains capital punishments for various crimes and offenses. It is applied in rare and extreme cases. Normally, it is applied for severe crimes including manslaughter, premeditated murder, drug trafficking, terrorism, treason, and espionage. The UAE legal framework supports the concept by its inclusion in federal laws. It forms part of the UAE federal laws, Islamic laws (Sharia Principle), UAE penal Code, anti-terrorism laws, and anti-narcotics laws.

The UAE legal system adhered to very strict protocols and legal processes while giving the death penalty in UAE. They ensure that due process is adequately followed and that legal human rights are protected and honored.

The judicial process for the death penalty in UAE goes through a 3-tier court system. The Court of First Instance first reviews the evidence and delivers the initial verdict while considering the crucial factors. Secondly, the Court of Appeal also plays its role. They are responsible for examining all kinds of legal errors or inconsistencies in the trial before giving a final verdict.

Thirdly, the Court of Cassation or the Supreme Court of UAE will make the final judgment or ruling. The death penalty in UAE is given after the approval of the president of the Emirates. Therefore, before the execution of an individual, approval is necessary.

Some of the punishable crimes that recovered the death penalty in UAE include murder, terrorism, Drug Trafficking and Distribution, Espionage, murder, Treason, Rape, Sexual Assault of Minors, and the list goes on. UAE has a zero-tolerance policy towards these crimes and thus capital punishment is awarded after the President’s authorization.

• In 1995, Sarah Balabagan, in Al Ain, killed her employer. However, she was not executed later but she got the verdict of capital punishment in appeal court. Read more about case details.
• 10 February 2011, Rashid Al Rashidi. He was executed by firing squad.
• In June 2015, Alaa Bader al-Hashemi.
• On 23 November 2017, Nidal Eisa Abdullah.
• On 5 April 2022 an Israeli woman was sentenced to death in Abu Dhabi. Her charges were drug smuggling. However, it got overturned later, by an appeal in appeal court and changed to life imprisonment.

There are different execution methods in the UAE. The execution in UAE takes place after certain steps are followed.  The Firing Squad is commonly used for terrorism-related offenses in the country. The concept of hanging is occasionally used these days for execution in UAE. In the past, for extreme criminal cases, hanging was widely practiced.

• Stoning: Stoning is rarely applied nowadays. Primarily, this concept was derived from Islamic laws for specific offenses, which are less applied these days. The methods of execution in the UAE depend on judicial discretion. The nature of the time and UAE courts play a crucial role in deciding the method of execution. However, since 2020, stoning is no more legal method for executions in UAE, based on federal laws UAE.

Death sentences are issued in the Emirates while real and actual execution in the UAE is quite rare. In many cases, the presidential pardons are granted. Moreover, death sentences are reduced to lifetime imprisonment. In some cases, the settlements are reached through blood money compensation (Diya). The government of UAE has understood the need to consideration towards human rights. In the past, the UAE faced many reservations, concerns, and queries from diplomats, international concerns, and human rights organizations.

Human Rights and International Concerns have raised their issue over the execution of the death penalties. World-renowned organizations like Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have raised serious concerns over capital punishment in the UAE.

The government of UAE has intelligently tackled global criticism from various quarters. The main concerns were regarding the fairness of the court trials in capital punishment. They also have raised questions regarding the authenticity of the evidence and confessions obtained under duress in death penalty cases.

The international organizations believe there was a lack of transparency, fairness, and clarity in the process of execution. Therefore, the UAE has maintained legal integrity by upholding justice, fairness, clarity, and transparency. They have ensured the due execution process is adhered to before the final ruling is passed. The death penalties in UAE, fully based on a fair trial, fair investigation and verdict without any discrimination.

Considering the global criticism, presidential pardons and clemency have become a practice in recent times. The president of the Emirates has the supreme authority to grant clemency in death penalty cases. They commute for death sentences and even offer presidential pardons in many cases.

Capital punishments in the UAE are prevented through various means. Blood money compensation or settlements in the form of Diya are granted. The good conduct of prisoners makes a huge difference, which can result in clemency or presidential pardons. The Diplomatic channels are used mainly for the expatriates or foreigners in the UAE. The negotiations take place under which presidential pardons are granted to individuals with capital punishments.

High-profile death penalty cases in the UAE garners a lot of media attention and international media houses take interest in them.  In many cases, there were diplomatic interventions, and especially where foreign nationals are involved, the death sentence is revoked.

Capital punishment is legal and forms part of the UAE legal framework. The execution of foreign nations and expatriated is very rare. As an alternative, a lifetime sentence, hefty fines, and deportation are the way out.

UAE is home to a large population of expatriated and foreign nationals. They can face the death penalty in UAE if convicted of serious criminal charges.  In these cases, the embassies, foreign diplomats, and even governments intervene to prevent it. Legal assistance is sought to avoid capital punishment on foreign soil. Seek the services of a professional criminal lawyer in the UAE. He has an understanding of the ways to avoid capital punishment in the UAE according to the UAE laws and regulations. He can provide you with legal guidance on how to make appeals. The foreigners do have the right to appeal and thus, they can make appeals with the assistance of a well-versed criminal lawyer in UAE.

You can consult our lawyers and legal consultants to grab more about the capital punishments in UAE. We can provide you legal knowledge about the old cases, reasons, consequences, federal laws etc.