New law for former offenders to return to normal life in UAE

The UAE has come up with a law for the rehabilitation and repatriation of offenders.

With the passage of the new law by the Federal National Council (FNC), the opportunity is opening up for former offenders to return to normal life. The Federal National Council unanimously approved a new draft law that would allow people who have served time for criminal offenses to find work through rehabilitation programs and resume a normal life.

The draft law introduced by the FFNC contained provisions aimed at speeding up the process of rehabilitating ex-offenders in the community and obtaining the necessary certificates for rehabilitation services.  It also helps them access work and post-prison care

The law states that rehabilitation will result in the reversal of all criminal implications of the convict's future sentence and the subsequent loss of rights. The law also has some general provisions for access to rehabilitation services.

According to the court order, the offender must fulfill all financial obligations to the state or individuals. Exemptions are available if these obligations expire or the offender proves incapable of fulfilling them.

If several convictions have been issued against an offender, the rehabilitation process will take place only after all of them come into force. The latest verdict should be taken into account when calculating the time limit.

The law also stipulates that the applicant for rehabilitation must reside in the country at the time of submitting their application. If the convicted person is jointly convicted, it is sufficient to pay only the individual arrears as they determine.

The law refers to all six categories of offenders who do not need rehabilitation. Minor offenses are punishable by imprisonment only with fines, offenses involving minors or potential offenders, Offenses for which the death sentence has been commuted, and Convicted felons. It is also a crime that demands reconciliation.