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Federal Law Number (20) of the Year 1981
Amending some of the Provisions of Federal Law Number (6) Of the year 1974
Concerning Public Utility Associations

We Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, presid ent of the United Arab Emirates,

Pursuant to the provisions of the interim constitution,

And the federal law number (1) of the year 1972 concerning the function of ministries and the
powers of the ministers and the laws issued in amendment thereof,

The federal law number (6) of the year 1974 concerning public utility associations,

And the submission of the Minister of Labour a nd Social Affairs, and the approval of the
cabinet, the national federal council, and the a ttestation of the supreme council of federation,

We have issued the following law:

Article (1)

The following two texts shall replace the text of article (17), and paragraph (3) of article (27)
of the law number (6) of the year 1974 referred to:

Article (17)

The Ministry shall cooperate with other mini stries and bodies according to what it deems
necessary for the achievement of the aims of th e association. The Ministry, in agreement with
one of the other ministries or bodies or pub lic institutions, or other local governmental
departments related to the activity of the associ ation, may transfer to them its instructive,
technical supervisory powers and paym ent of founding periodic assistance.

Article (27)

(3) The assistance provided by the Ministry or ministries, public institutions, public bodies, or
other local governmental departments accord ing to the provisions of this law.

Article (2)

A new paragraph shall be added to article (2) of the law number (6) of the year 1974 referred
to. It shall read as follows:

All founding and active members should be holde r of the nationality of the United Arab
Emirates.

Article (3)

Two new articles shall be added carrying the numbers (35) repeated or (40) repeated to law
number (6) of the year 1974 referre d to. It shall read as follows:

Article (35) repeated

Fundraising from citizens for a charitable or social purpose is not permissible except by
associations declared according to the provision s of the law and by a justified license issued
by the Ministry.

Article (40) repeated

No group or body may practice any of the activities of an association prior to the completion
of the registration procedures. In case of viol ation, the Ministry may issue a decision to stop
the activity and to close down the violating prem ises. Concerned authorities of the state shall
compulsory implement this decision if necessary.

This will not repeal any civil or criminal responsibility.

Article (4)

The nationality condition stated in article number (2) of this law shall not be applicable on
founding and active members of associations whic h were at the time when this law entered
into force.

Article (5)

Ministers, according to their competencies, shall implement the provisions of this law. It shall
enter into force as of the date of publishing it in the official gazette.

Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan
President of the United Arab Emirates

Issued by us at the presidential palace in Abu Dhabi
On /23 /Thi al Hijah/1401 H.
Corresponding to 19/ October/1981