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UAE criminalizes honor killing and eases laws on alcohol and live-in for unwed couples, praised for 'huge step'

Reports stated that the ground-breaking decisions have been made to reflect the changing profile of the kingdom as a Westernized and more acceptable destination for tourists

In a ground-breaking move, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has made drinking alcohol and live-in for unmarried couples legal. Besides, the country has also criminalized so-called “honor killings”. The overhaul of the Islamic laws comes is being touted as an indication of the Islamic country’s willingness to liberalize its society. 

Reports stated that the move has been made by the Middle Eastern nation to describe itself as a Westernized destination for tourists, fortune-seekers, and businesses. According to state-run WAM news agency, as quoted by the Daily Mail, the new rules have been announced to boost the country's economic and social standing and “consolidate the UAE's principles of tolerance.”

The state-linked newspaper, The National, has given a detailed report on the government decrees behind the changes. But it did not mention the sources who gave the information. “I could not be happier for these new laws that are progressive and proactive. 2020 has been a tough and transformative year for the UAE,” Emirati filmmaker Abdallah Al Kaabi, whose art has tackled taboo topics like homosexual love and gender identity, said.

As per the new law, there will reportedly be no penalties for alcohol consumption, sales, and possession for those who are 21-year-old and over. Even so, liquor and beer are for sale in bars and clubs in the UAE's luxuriant coastal cities, people were earlier required to produce a government-issued license to buy, transport, or have alcohol in their homes. Muslims, who were not previously allowed to get licenses to drink alcoholic beverages, can now purchase them freely.

Another change in the UAE’s history is the legalization of “cohabitation of unmarried couples”. In Dubai, when it came to foreigners, authorities often tried to look the other way, but the threat of punishment still loomed. The National said that the country would also decriminalize attempted suicide. While to better “protect women's rights”, the country would dispose of laws defending “honor crimes”. Reports stated that any extreme step taken to put an end to a woman's “shame”, for immorality or disobeying religious and cultural rules, will now also be treated as a criminal offense.

People on Twitter have also taken note of it as many reacted in a positive way. One such user wrote, “Laws have a way of catching up with the society's whims eventually, even if a generation late.” Another one said, “The UAE has finally moved out of the 12th century into the 13th Century. Keep going boys.” “Ladies and gentlemen let's welcome the UAE to the 21st century please by raising your glasses and drinking to that!” a third one commented, while a fourth one added: It rarely happens that the existing laws are actually applied but when it does particularly to Western tourists, it ends up in the media. Now alcohol consumption without a license will be decriminalised in the UAE, as well unmarried cohabitation. Another said praising the UAE: "#UAE relaxed Islamic law on alcohol consumption and cohabitation, as well as "honor killings" are now criminalized. It is important to welcome and highlight the Emirate efforts in human rights, although led by political and economic interests."

The historic changes to the UAE’s laws have been introduced almost a month after the Hay literary festival’s curator in the UAE gave up her anonymity to allege that Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan assaulted her. The 69-year-old Emirate's minister of tolerance has been accused by Caitlin McNamara, who claimed that Al Nahyan kissed and groped her when she met him at his private island villa in February to discuss Hay's first literary festival in Abu Dhabi. The 32-year-old alleged that the Gulf Royal assaulted her for around four hours, during which he rubbed her breasts, attempted to kiss her, pinned her to a bed and groped her. After the incident came to light, the festival canceled its franchise in the UAE. But the lawyers of Al Nahyan have refuted the allegations.