New rules governing divorce, inheritance and child custody set to provide ‘flexible, advanced judicial mechanism’ for non-Muslims, area media say.
The funds of the United Arab Emirates has issued new regulations governing divorce, inheritance and baby custody for non-Muslims in Abu Dhabi, the country’s point out-operate information agency reported.
The report on Sunday by the WAM news company mentioned Abu Dhabi would build a new courtroom to deal with these instances, which will be held in Arabic and English to be improved comprehended by the emirate’s huge overseas worker populace.
Alter in youngster custody will let moms and dads to share joint custody of their youngsters, WAM noted. The law – which consists of 20 article content – also introduces the notion of civil marriage, allows wills to be drawn up granting inheritance to whomever a particular person chooses, and discounts with paternity difficulties.
It is set to supply “a flexible and state-of-the-art judicial system for the determination of individual standing disputes for non-Muslims”, the Abu Dhabi Judicial Section claimed, according to The Nationwide newspaper.
Abu Dhabi is one of 7 sheikhdoms that make up the UAE and the new legislation influences only this sheikhdom. Though the oil-wealthy emirate is the money of the nation, Abu Dhabi’s populace is dwarfed by that of neighbouring Dubai.
The new law arrives just after authorities last 12 months reported they would overhaul the country’s Islamic personal guidelines, allowing for unmarried couples to cohabitate, loosening alcoholic beverages limitations and criminalising so-named “honour killings” – a commonly criticised tribal custom in which a male relative may perhaps evade prosecution for assaulting a woman he promises has dishonoured her loved ones.
Previous modifications
At the time, the govt claimed the authorized reforms were being aspect of initiatives to make improvements to legislation and the financial investment local weather in the state, as nicely as to consolidate “tolerance principles”.
Abu Dhabi also finished its alcoholic beverages licence method in September 2020.
Beforehand, people desired a liquor licence to obtain, transportation or have liquor in their properties. The rule would seemingly let Muslims who have been barred from getting licences to consume alcoholic drinks freely.
The UAE as a total in September this 12 months announced nonetheless a different plan to promote its economic climate and liberalise stringent residency policies for foreigners.
In January, the UAE introduced it was opening a path to citizenship for pick out foreign nationals, who make up almost 80 percent of the inhabitants.
The broadening of personal freedoms demonstrates the shifting profile of a place that has sought to monthly bill itself as a skyscraper-studded destination for Western visitors, fortune-seekers and corporations.
The modifications also replicate the endeavours of the emirates’ rulers to keep speed with a quickly switching culture at house.
Nevertheless, common Islamic values continue being strong in the federation. The around one million Emiratis in the UAE, a hereditarily ruled country very long criticised for its suppression of dissent, carefully toe the government line.
Political parties and labour unions remain unlawful.