The UAE has recently expanded the circumstances under which abortions are permitted for both Emirati and expat women, according to Cabinet Resolution No. (44) of 2024.
New Instances Permitted by Law in UAE:
Under this resolution, there are three new instances where a licensed physician can perform abortions.
- Pregnancy Resulting from Rape
- Abortion is permitted if the pregnancy is a result of rape, defined as an act committed against the woman’s will or through non-consensual sex.
- Pregnancy Resulting from Incest
- Abortion is allowed if the pregnancy is a result of incest involving a family member.
- Mutual Agreement of Both Spouses
- Abortion can also be performed if both spouses mutually agree, subject to approval by a designated committee.
Legal Requirements:
In cases of rape or incest, the following conditions must be met:
- The incident must be immediately reported to authorities.
- An official report from the Public Prosecution must subsequently prove the report.
For abortions based on mutual agreement:
- Approval must be obtained from a committee comprising an obstetrics specialist, a gynecology specialist, a psychiatry specialist, and a representative from the Public Prosecution.
Previous Regulations:
Previously, abortions were permitted under two conditions:
- If the mother’s life was at risk.
- If the fetus was deformed.
Conditions for Abortion:
- Abortion can only be performed if it won’t endanger the woman’s life and if the fetus is less than 120 days old.
- The woman must receive medical and social counseling before and after the procedure.
- All abortions must be conducted in authorized facilities by licensed physicians.
Requirements for Non-Emirati Women:
Non-Emirati (expat) women must have resided in the UAE for at least 12 months before submitting an abortion request.
