Legislation Details
- Full Title: Federal Decree Law for Defining the Maritime Areas of the United Arab Emirates
- Law Type: Federal Decree
- Law Number: [no number] of 1993
- Issued Date: 17 Sep 1993
- Effective Date: 20 Oct 1993
- Official Gazette: No. 257
- Sector: Justice and Judiciary
- Status: Active
- Number of Articles: 56
- Chapters/Parts: 0
- Amendments: 0
Summary
This Federal Decree Law defines the maritime areas of the United Arab Emirates, including the internal waters, territorial sea, exclusive economic zone, and continental shelf. It establishes the UAE's sovereignty over these maritime zones and the rights and obligations associated with each area. The law is important for regulating activities such as navigation, resource exploitation, environmental protection, and maritime security within the UAE's maritime jurisdiction. (Federal Decree Law for Defining the Maritime Areas of the United Arab Emirates, 1993)
What is the scope and purpose of this law?
The purpose of this law is to define the maritime areas under the sovereignty and jurisdiction of the United Arab Emirates. It establishes the UAE's internal waters, territorial sea, exclusive economic zone, and continental shelf, and outlines the rights and obligations associated with each maritime zone. The law applies throughout the UAE's coastal regions and extends to the country's islands and archipelagos. (Federal Decree Law for Defining the Maritime Areas of the United Arab Emirates, 1993, Art. 1-4, 12, 17)
What are the key definitions under this law?
The law provides the following key definitions:
- State: The United Arab Emirates
- Baseline: The line from which the measurement of the territorial sea begins
- Island: A natural formation of land surrounded by water that is not submerged during high tides
- Archipelago: A group of two or more islands that constitute a coherent geographical and economic unit
- Low Tide Cusp: A natural land formation that is submerged during high tides but emerges during low tides
- Gulf: A sharp indentation into the land with adequate depth and width of opening
- Nautical Mile: 1,852 meters
(Federal Decree Law for Defining the Maritime Areas of the United Arab Emirates, 1993, Art. 1)
What are the main obligations and requirements?
The law imposes the following key obligations: 1. The UAE must determine the conditions for entry into its internal waters and enforce these on vessels wishing to enter. (Federal Decree Law for Defining the Maritime Areas of the United Arab Emirates, 1993, Art. 3) 2. Foreign commercial vessels have the right of innocent passage through the UAE's territorial sea. Foreign warships, submarines, and vessels carrying nuclear or hazardous materials must obtain prior authorization to enter the territorial sea. (Federal Decree Law for Defining the Maritime Areas of the United Arab Emirates, 1993, Art. 5) 3. The UAE must establish safety zones around any artificial islands, structures, or installations it constructs in its exclusive economic zone or continental shelf. (Federal Decree Law for Defining the Maritime Areas of the United Arab Emirates, 1993, Art. 21)
What licensing, registration, or approval requirements exist?
The law does not specify any licensing, registration, or approval requirements for individuals or companies. It states that the UAE authorities must issue regulations regarding the construction, installation, or use of structures, installations, or artificial islands in the exclusive economic zone or continental shelf. (Federal Decree Law for Defining the Maritime Areas of the United Arab Emirates, 1993, Art. 22)
What rights and protections does this law provide?
The key rights and protections established by this law include: 1. The UAE has sovereignty over its internal waters, territorial sea, exclusive economic zone, and continental shelf. (Federal Decree Law for Defining the Maritime Areas of the United Arab Emirates, 1993, Art. 4, 12, 17) 2. The UAE has exclusive rights to explore, exploit, preserve, and manage the natural resources within its exclusive economic zone and continental shelf. (Federal Decree Law for Defining the Maritime Areas of the United Arab Emirates, 1993, Art. 13, 18) 3. The right to fish in the UAE's territorial sea and exclusive economic zone is limited to UAE citizens, though the authorities may authorize non-citizens to fish under certain conditions. (Federal Decree Law for Defining the Maritime Areas of the United Arab Emirates, 1993, Art. 9, 15)
Which authorities or bodies are responsible for enforcement?
The law does not specify which government authorities or bodies are responsible for enforcing its provisions. It states that the "pertinent authorities in the State" shall issue regulations on various matters, such as the construction of structures in the exclusive economic zone and continental shelf, the establishment of safety zones, and the protection of resources. (Federal Decree Law for Defining the Maritime Areas of the United Arab Emirates, 1993, Art. 22)
What are the penalties for non-compliance?
The law provides for the following penalties: 1. The UAE may take measures such as inspection, impoundment of vessels, and filing lawsuits against those who breach its laws and regulations within the exclusive economic zone. (Federal Decree Law for Defining the Maritime Areas of the United Arab Emirates, 1993, Art. 16) 2. Impounded foreign vessels and their crew shall not be released unless after bail or guarantee is provided. (Federal Decree Law for Defining the Maritime Areas of the United Arab Emirates, 1993, Art. 16) 3. The law does not specify any other penalties for non-compliance.
What fees, charges, or financial provisions are specified?
The law does not specify any fees, charges, or other financial provisions.
What exemptions or exceptions apply?
The law does not provide any explicit exemptions or exceptions.
How are disputes resolved under this law?
The law does not outline any dispute resolution mechanisms or procedures.
What are the key deadlines and time limits?
The law does not specify any deadlines or time limits.
How does this law interact with other UAE legislation?
The law references the following related legislation: - The UAE provisional constitution - Federal Law No. 1 of 1972 concerning the Jurisdiction of Ministries and the Powers of the Ministers - Federal Law No. 45 of 1992 concerning the Organization of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Federal Decree Law for Defining the Maritime Areas of the United Arab Emirates, 1993)
When did this law come into effect?
This Federal Decree Law came into effect on 20 October 1993, the date it was published in the Official Gazette No. 257. (Federal Decree Law for Defining the Maritime Areas of the United Arab Emirates, 1993)
Source Documents
This article analyses Federal Decree Law for Defining the Maritime Areas of the United Arab Emirates for legal research and educational purposes. For the purpose of interpretation and application, reference must be made to the original Arabic text. In case of conflict, the Arabic text prevails. This does not constitute legal advice.