UAE Decriminalizes Attempted Suicide, Alcohol Consumption & Cohabitation Of Unmarried Couples; Amends Personal & Succession Laws

United Arab Emirates has amended various personal, succession and criminal laws, the leading UAE daily 'The National' reported.

UAE President, Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, approved federal law decrees to amend these laws.

The amendments, according to the media, is one of the biggest overhauls of the legal system in years. Attempted suicide and Alcohol consumption is no longer a criminal offence, as per the new laws. They also allow legal cohabitation of unmarried couples, which was prohibited earlier.

It is also reported that the amendment has abolished the category of crimes known as "honour crimes", where a male relative can get a lighter sentence for assaulting a female relative under the guise of "protecting honour". Such incidents will now be treated as crimes, similar to any other assault. 

Laws dealing with divorce and separation, and succession laws have also been changed. It is also reported that the assets would no longer be automatically divided under Islamic law, or Sharia. If a couple were married in their home country, but get a divorce in the UAE, the laws of the country where the marriage took place will apply, the report said.