Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- The authorities of the United Arab Emirates have made significant changes to legislation in recent years, which have caused a wide resonance in the international community.

In particular, amendments were made to laws on personal status, civil transactions, as well as to the criminal and criminal procedure codes. The changes made, according to the UAE authorities, are progressive measures aimed at improving the living standards of residents of the Emirates.

The following main changes in national legislation are highlighted.

First, according to the amendments, the storage or sale of alcoholic beverages to persons who have reached the age of 21 in permitted areas without a license is not punished. Previously, all residents had to purchase special licenses to consume alcohol.

Secondly, the most significant amendments concern the divorce of spouses and the division of property. In particular, if a couple married in the country of citizenship, and filed for divorce in the UAE, the laws of the state in which it was concluded will apply upon dissolution of the marriage. In this case, the division of the property of the deceased between his relatives will be carried out according to the laws of the country of his citizenship.

Thirdly, the innovations will allow unmarried couples to live legally. Until now, it has been illegal for an unmarried couple, as well as unrelated heterosexuals, to live in the same house in the Emirates.

Fourth, the authorities have increased the punishment for the murder of a woman by a member of her family under the pretext of "protecting honor." Previously, a man who killed a female relative who was believed to have disgraced the family could receive a very lenient sentence. This measure was harshly criticized by human rights organizations.

In general, experts from analytical publications believe that the UAE authorities have changed the laws in order to “consolidate the principles of tolerance in society” and strengthen the country’s position as an attractive territory for life and work. In addition, they intend to further improve the investment climate and the tourism sector in the post-pandemic period. A

ccording to the Associated Press, in October 2021, Dubai will host a world exhibition that will attract up to 25 million foreigners to the UAE.