United Arab Emirates – Sexual Conduct Law
Zina (unlawful sex), Penal Code articles, punishments, and tourist risks
📜 Penalties at a Glance – UAE
| Offence | Minimum | Maximum |
|---|---|---|
| Zina (sex outside marriage) | 1 year imprisonment | Stoning (historic Sharia penalty) |
| Adultery | 1 year | 10 years; deportation for foreigners |
| Rape | 7 years | Life imprisonment or death |
| Homosexual acts | 6 months | 14 years + deportation |
| Public indecency | Fine | 6 months |
| Prostitution | 1 year | 10 years; deportation |
Overview
The UAE’s sexual conduct laws derive from Sharia and the Federal Penal Code (Federal Law No. 3 of 1987, as amended). Zina – unlawful sexual intercourse – remains the core offence. Recent reforms softened enforcement for expatriates, but prosecutions are still frequent when reported.
Age of Consent
No Western-style “age of consent” exists. Only marriage makes sex lawful. Historically, marriage was permitted from puberty, though modern family law reforms require women to be at least 18 for civil marriage contracts.
Key Penal Code Articles
- Article 177: “Any person who commits sodomy with another male shall be punished with imprisonment of at least one year.”
- Article 356: Criminalises “indecent assault without consent,” punishable by a minimum of 1 year. If force is used, the penalty rises to up to 10 years or more.
- Article 363: Prohibits acts “contrary to public morals or decency” in public places; penalties range from fines to imprisonment.
- Article 182 (Zina): Any consensual sexual intercourse outside marriage is criminal. Married offenders may face up to death under Sharia-derived punishments.
- Article 364: Prohibits prostitution, providing premises, or mediating in sex work; imprisonment up to 10 years plus deportation.
Public Decency Laws
Displays of affection such as kissing, hugging, or intimacy in public often trigger charges under Article 363. Tourists have been jailed for “kissing in a taxi” or holding hands while intoxicated.
Historical Context
Until the 2000s, flogging and stoning sentences for zina were passed by Sharia courts in Sharjah, Fujairah, and Abu Dhabi. Although actual stoning executions are not reported in recent decades, the legal framework remains in place. The codified Penal Code now favors prison terms, fines, and deportation, but Sharia-derived penalties (lashes, stoning) exist in theory.
Regional Comparison
| Jurisdiction | Sex Outside Marriage | Rape Penalty | Homosexual Acts | Sex Work |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UAE | Criminal (Art. 182) | Life or death | Illegal (Art. 177) | Illegal (Art. 364) |
| Saudi Arabia | Criminal (Sharia) | Death possible | Illegal | Illegal |
| Qatar | Criminal (zina) | Life or death | Illegal | Illegal |
| Oman | Criminal | Life | Illegal | Illegal |
🚫 Common Tourist Mistakes
- Confusing reforms with full freedom: Non-Muslim cohabitation is legal on paper, but arrests still occur.
- Kissing in public: Couples have been imprisoned under Article 363.
- Reporting rape without legal advice: Victims sometimes prosecuted for admitting zina.
- Assuming homosexuality is tolerated: Private same-sex intimacy remains prosecutable under Article 177.
Insider & Academic Commentary
“The Penal Code articles on zina and indecency are broad enough to criminalise almost any sexual conduct outside marriage.” — Legal scholar, Abu Dhabi
“Historic punishments like stoning are still part of the legal framework, even if no longer enforced in practice.” — Human Rights NGO
References
United Arab Emirates. (1987, amended 2020). Federal Penal Code.
Human Rights Watch. (2020). UAE: Morality laws and recent reforms.
Amnesty International. (2012). UAE: Sexual conduct and zina laws.
BBC News. (2006–2010). Reports on stoning and adultery prosecutions in UAE.