Simone Lawson
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is a federation of seven emirates that gained independence from the United Kingdom in 1971. The country's constitution, which came into effect on 2 December 1971, was initially a temporary one but was made permanent in July 1996. The UAE Constitution, written by Adi Bitar, a former judge and legal advisor, is divided into 10 parts and contains 152 articles that establish the basis of the UAE and the rights of its citizens.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of establishment | 2nd of December 1971 |
| Type | Written |
| Number of articles | 152 |
| Author | Adi Bitar |
| Number of parts | 10 |
| Basis | The UAE and the rights of its citizens |
| Rights | Public rights, responsibilities and freedoms |
| Main rules | Political and constitutional organisation of the country |
| Main purpose | Establishment of the federation and its objectives |
| Other purposes | Elaborating on the social and economic pillars of the federation |
| Relationship | Between federal and local governments |
| Jurisdiction | Emirates have jurisdiction in all matters not assigned to the federation |
| Agreements | Emirates can make agreements with neighbouring states, provided they don't conflict with federation interests |
| Federal authorities | The Federal Supreme Council, the UAE President and Vice President, the UAE Council of Ministers, the Federal National Council, and the Federal Judiciary |
| Defence | A sacred duty of every citizen |
| Military service | Regulated by law |
| Respect | Respect of the Constitution, laws, public order, and public morals are binding to all people living in the UAE |
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What You'll Learn
- The UAE Constitution is written and came into effect on 2 December 1971
- The Constitution has 152 articles and is divided into 10 parts
- The Constitution establishes the UAE as a federal, independent and sovereign state
- It lays down the relationship between the federal and local governments
- The Constitution outlines the objectives of the UAE, including the protection of citizens' rights and freedoms
The UAE Constitution is written and came into effect on 2 December 1971
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) Constitution is a written constitution that came into effect on 2 December 1971. It was initially a temporary constitution, but it was made permanent in July 1996 by the Federal Supreme Council. The UAE Constitution is composed of 152 articles and is divided into 10 parts. It provides the legal and political framework for the UAE as a federation of seven emirates.
The Constitution establishes the UAE as a federal, independent, and sovereign state, with Abu Dhabi as its capital. It lays down the relationship between the federal and local governments, outlining the roles, responsibilities, and powers of the federal authorities. The Constitution also sets out the rights of citizens in ten areas, including the federation, its constituencies, and its principal aims. It provides for the freedom of religion, with Article 7 stating that Islam is the official state religion and Islamic Sharia law as the primary source of legislation.
The UAE Constitution also establishes the Federal Supreme Council as the highest authority in the UAE. The Council consists of the Rulers of all the Emirates and is responsible for drawing up the general policy in all matters assigned to the UAE by the Constitution. It also ratifies federal laws, decrees, and international treaties and conventions. The Constitution outlines the term of office for the President and two Vice Presidents, who are elected for five-year terms and take an oath to respect the Constitution and laws of the UAE.
The Constitution of the UAE is a flexible document that allows the emirates to exercise authority in certain matters. It provides for amendments in its final and transitional provisions. The UAE celebrates the formation of the Union and the acceptance of the federal constitution as National Day on 2 December. The Constitution has contributed to the country's success and stability, making the UAE a model nation for unification in modern history.
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The Constitution has 152 articles and is divided into 10 parts
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) Constitution, which came into effect on 2 December 1971, is a written constitution with 152 articles and 10 parts. It was permanently adopted in July 1996 and sets out the bases of the political and constitutional organisation of the UAE. The 152 articles establish the foundation of the UAE and the rights of its citizens in 10 areas.
The UAE Constitution explains the main rules of the country's political and constitutional organisation, as well as the purpose of the federation and its objectives at the local and regional levels. It also outlines the social and economic pillars of the federation, emphasising public rights, responsibilities, and freedoms. The document further details the federal authorities, federal legislation, and other areas such as the financial affairs of the federation, provisions for armed and security forces, and legislative, executive, and international jurisdictions of the federation and member emirates.
The first nine articles of the UAE Constitution establish the country's fundamental principles. Article 1 asserts the UAE's federal, independent, and sovereign status, comprising seven emirates: Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Fujairah, and Ras Al Khaimah. Article 7 designates Islam as the official state religion, with Islamic Sharia as the primary source of legislation. Article 9 designates Abu Dhabi as the capital of the Union, although the original constitution stated that it would be the temporary capital until the completion of Al Karama. However, in 1996, a constitutional amendment removed this qualification, making Abu Dhabi the permanent capital.
The UAE Constitution also addresses the federation's constituencies and primary objectives. Articles 11 and 12 elaborate on the union's economic and customs unity, guaranteeing the free movement of capital and goods between emirates and abolishing inter-emirate taxes, duties, and tolls. The constitution further outlines the allocation of legislative, executive, and international jurisdiction between the federation and the emirates.
The document also establishes the relationship between the federal and local governments. Articles 122 and 123 address the jurisdiction of the emirates and their authority to conclude agreements with neighbouring states, provided they do not conflict with the federation's interests or laws. Article 124 highlights the process for the federal authorities when entering into international treaties or agreements, emphasising the need to consider the impact on individual emirates and referring disputes to the Federal Supreme Court.
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The Constitution establishes the UAE as a federal, independent and sovereign state
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is a federal, independent, and sovereign state, as outlined in its constitution. The UAE Constitution, which came into effect on December 2, 1971, and was permanently adopted in July 1996, provides the legal and political framework for the country's operation as a federation of seven emirates. It establishes the UAE's political and constitutional organization, outlining the federation's foundation and objectives at the local and regional levels.
The UAE Constitution consists of 152 articles that establish the basis of the country and the rights of its citizens in ten key areas. These areas include the federation, its constituencies, and principal aims; the fundamental social and economic basis of the federation; and the allocation of legislative, executive, and international jurisdiction between the federation and the emirates. The Constitution also provides for amendments in its final and transitional provisions.
Article 1 of the UAE Constitution explicitly states that the country is a federal, independent, and sovereign state. It consists of the emirates of Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Fujairah, and Ras Al Khaimah. Each of these emirates is an independent kingdom with its own ruler, and they collectively form the Federal Supreme Council, the highest authority in the UAE. The Constitution grants the emirates jurisdiction over all matters not exclusively assigned to the federation, allowing them to exercise authority and make agreements with neighbouring states, as long as they align with federal laws and interests.
The UAE Constitution also outlines the roles and responsibilities of various federal authorities, including the Federal Supreme Council, the UAE President and Vice President, the UAE Council of Ministers, the Federal National Council, and the Federal Judiciary. These authorities work together to achieve the objectives of the UAE, such as maintaining independence and sovereignty, safeguarding security and stability, protecting the rights and freedoms of citizens, and promoting prosperity and progress.
The Constitution of the UAE serves as the foundational document that establishes the country's federal, independent, and sovereign status. It provides a framework for the relationship between the federal government and the emirates, outlining their powers and responsibilities while also ensuring the protection of citizens' rights and the promotion of their well-being.
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It lays down the relationship between the federal and local governments
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) Constitution is a written constitution that was established on 2 December 1971. It has 152 articles, which establish the basis of the UAE and the rights of its citizens in ten areas. Authored by Adi Bitar, a former judge and legal advisor, the Constitution is written in 10 parts.
The UAE Constitution lays down the relationship between the federal and local governments. The federal government has exclusive legislative and executive jurisdiction in foreign affairs, defence, the federal Armed Forces, protection of the country's security, federal finances, federal employees, and the Federal Judiciary, among other areas. The federal authorities consist of the Federal Supreme Council, the UAE President and Vice President, the UAE Council of Ministers, the Federal National Council, and the Federal Judiciary. The Federal Supreme Council is the highest authority in the UAE and consists of the Rulers of all the Emirates.
Articles 46 to 109 of the Constitution outline the roles, responsibilities, and powers of the federal authorities. Article 116 provides that the emirates shall exercise all powers not assigned to the federation by the Constitution. Article 117 states that each emirate shall maintain security and order within its territories, provide public utilities for its inhabitants, and raise social and economic standards.
Article 122 of the Constitution provides that the emirates shall have jurisdiction in all matters not assigned to the exclusive jurisdiction of the federation. Article 123 allows member emirates to conclude limited agreements with neighbouring states or regions, provided they do not conflict with the interests of the federation or federal laws. Article 124 states that the federal authorities must seek the opinion of the relevant emirate before concluding any international treaty or agreement that may affect that emirate. If there is a difference of opinion, the matter shall be referred to the Federal Supreme Court.
The Council of Ministers, under the oversight of the President and the Supreme Council, undertakes the federal internal and foreign affairs as provided in the Constitution and federal laws. The Council of Ministers is responsible for executing the general policy of the UAE, proposing federal draft laws, preparing the federal annual budget, and issuing necessary regulations for executing federal laws.
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The Constitution outlines the objectives of the UAE, including the protection of citizens' rights and freedoms
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) Constitution is a written constitution, which came into effect on 2 December 1971 and was permanently adopted in July 1996. It has 152 articles and is written in 10 parts. The constitution outlines the objectives of the UAE, including the protection of citizens' rights and freedoms.
The UAE Constitution provides a legal and political framework for the operation of the UAE as a federation of seven emirates. It establishes the foundation of the UAE and the rights of citizens in ten areas. It explains the main rules of the country's political and constitutional organisation, as well as the main purpose of the federation and its objectives at the local and regional levels.
The objectives of the UAE, as outlined in the Constitution, include maintaining the UAE's independence and sovereignty, safeguarding its security and stability, and repelling any aggression against the UAE or its member states. The Constitution also aims to protect the rights and freedoms of UAE citizens, promote cooperation among the Emirates for their common interests, and provide a better life for all citizens. Each emirate is to respect the independence and sovereignty of the other emirates in their internal affairs.
The UAE Constitution guarantees personal freedom to all citizens. It prohibits arbitrary arrest, search, detention, or imprisonment, and forbids torture or degrading treatment. It ensures equality before the law, regardless of race, nationality, religious belief, or social status. The Constitution also provides for freedom of movement and residence within the country, as well as freedom of opinion and expression.
The Constitution also addresses other areas such as education, healthcare, and employment. It makes primary education mandatory and free for all, and promotes the eradication of illiteracy. It emphasises the community's role in providing medical care and disease prevention for all citizens. Additionally, it encourages job creation, qualification of citizens for employment, and the protection of employees' rights.
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Frequently asked questions
The UAE constitution is a written constitution.
The UAE constitution was established on the 2nd of December 1971 as a temporary constitution. It was permanently adopted in July 1996.
The UAE constitution was authored by Adi Bitar, a former judge and legal advisor.
The UAE constitution has 152 articles and is written in 10 parts. It provides a legal and political framework for the operation of the UAE as a federation of seven emirates. It establishes the country as a federal, independent, and sovereign state, with Islam as the official state religion.
Yes, the UAE constitution provides for amendments in its final and transitional provisions.
