The Role of Criminal Legislation on Crime Rates in Arab Societies: A Comparative Study

Abstract

Crime is a social phenomenon that has accompanied human societies since their inception and evolved with them. It is an expression of an imbalance in social, economic, and moral relations within society. Because crime threatens the security of individuals and the stability of societies, all legal systems, from ancient times to the present day, have sought to establish rules and legislation aimed at confronting it and limiting its spread. Criminal legislation is at the forefront of these legal tools, playing a pivotal role in regulating human behavior, protecting public order, and achieving general and private deterrence. Views of crime have varied over the ages, sometimes interpreted on religious or moral grounds, and at other times on biological, psychological, or social grounds. However, what modern jurisprudence agrees upon is that crime is an act or omission that violates criminal law and results in a criminal penalty. This means that it is a legal phenomenon par excellence that cannot be addressed outside the framework of legislation. Accordingly, any effective criminal policy must be based on clear, fair, and effective criminal legislation capable of responding to the rapid transformations that society is experiencing, whether at the ethical, technological, or economic levels. In this context, Arab societies today face significant challenges related to rising crime rates and the diversity of their forms and methods. In addition to well-known traditional crimes, new types of crimes have emerged due to digital and technological developments, such as cybercrime, money laundering, terrorist financing, and human trafficking. These changes highlight the need to develop criminal legislation and make it more relevant to realities, ensuring its effectiveness in deterrence and punishment, and enhancing citizens' confidence in the legal and judicial system.