Criminal Protection against Environmental Pollution in Omani and UAE Legislation

The article analyses the role of the criminal legislator in the field of environmental protection guaranteed by both Omani and UAE legislators. The problem of the study was the extent to which the Omani and UAE legislators contributed to the criminal protection of the environment. The study aimed to indicate and determine the content, elements, and penalties imposed by the Omani and UAE legislators for environmental offences. The study found several conclusions and recommendations, the most important of which being that the Omani and UAE legislature has ensured the criminal protection of the environment by criminalizing acts that pose a serious threat to one or more elements of the environment either by an explicit provision in the Penal Code or by special laws relating to the protection of the environment or within the special law on environmental protection and pollution control. The penalties prescribed for the offence of environmental pollution must be reviewed by establishing penalties for deprivation of liberty and not only a fine.