Murder convictions: minimum jail term raised to 15 years when qisas is waived

Those convicted of murder will face imprisonment of 15 to 20 years in cases where the victim's heirs waive their right to qisas (retribution), under amendments to the UAE's Crimes and Penalties Law announced on Thursday, October 8. The Federal Decree Law amends Clause (3) of Article (384), stipulating that the new prison term will apply if the victim's heirs waive their right to qisas at any stage of the legal proceedings or before the sentence is carried out. The government said the amendment strengthens legal deterrence while balancing the right of the victim's heirs to waive qisas and the need to protect society from extremely serious crimes. Under the amended provision, the court will determine the appropriate sentence within the 15-to-20-year range by assessing the circumstances of the offence and the applicable sentencing rules. The amendments also decriminalise attempted suicide, shifting the approach from criminal punishment to prevention, treatment and care.