Article 2 of the Saudi Anti-Human Trafficking Law
المادة 2 من نظام مكافحة جرائم الاتجار بالأشخاص
The article prohibits trafficking in any person in any form, and lists its means, such as coercion, deception, kidnapping and exploiting influence or vulnerability, and its prohibited purposes, such as sexual abuse, forced labor and begging.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
يحظر الاتجار بأي شخص بأي شكل من الأشكال بما في ذلك إكراهه أو تهديده أو الاحتيال عليه أو خداعه أو خطفه، أو استغلال الوظيفة أو النفوذ، أو إساءة استعمال سلطة ما عليه، أو استغلال ضعفه، أو إعطاء مبالغ مالية أو مزايا أو تلقيها لنيل موافقة شخص له سيطرة على آخر من أجل الاعتداء الجنسي، أو العمل أو الخدمة قسرا، أو التسول، أو الاسترقاق أو الممارسات الشبيهة بالرق، أو الاستعباد، أو نزع الأعضاء، أو إجراء تجارب طبية عليه .
This is the official Arabic wording, the only legally binding version. We do not translate the law itself; the explanation below is ours. Official source: Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers
Article 2 explained in plain English
This article sets out the basic prohibition in the Law: trafficking in any person in any form is not permitted. Trafficking, as defined in Article 1, is using a person, recruiting them, transporting them, harboring them or receiving them for the purpose of abusing them through exploitation, and this article details the means by which it occurs and the purposes for which it is committed.
The means the article mentions:
- Coercing the person, threatening them, defrauding them, deceiving them or kidnapping them.
- Exploiting a position or influence, abusing any authority over the person, or exploiting their vulnerability.
- Giving or receiving sums of money or benefits to obtain the consent of a person who has control over another.
The prohibited purposes: sexual abuse, forced labor or service, begging, slavery or practices similar to slavery, servitude, removal of organs, and carrying out medical experiments on the person.
The means come after the words "including", and the prohibition is aimed at trafficking "in any form", so the article does not limit trafficking to the means mentioned. Article 3 sets the penalty for anyone who commits the crime of human trafficking, which is imprisonment for a period not exceeding 15 years or a fine not exceeding SAR 1,000,000, or both. Anyone who believes they are a victim of these acts, or who faces an accusation of them, would do well to consult a lawyer specializing in criminal cases.
Practical example
A family in Jeddah brought in a domestic worker, and the head of the household then threatened to cancel her residency and deport her unless she worked long hours without pay, and prevented her from leaving. Using threats and exploiting her vulnerability to force her to work is among the forms Article 2 prohibits, and the head of the household may be held responsible for the crime of human trafficking.
Translated from our Arabic explanation with machine assistance. For guidance only; it does not replace advice from a lawyer on your situation.
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Frequently asked questions about Article 2 of the Saudi Anti-Human Trafficking Law
What forms of human trafficking are prohibited in Saudi Arabia?
The article prohibits trafficking in a person for sexual abuse, forced labor or service, begging, slavery or practices similar to slavery, servitude, removal of organs, or carrying out medical experiments on them.
Is forcing a worker to work by threats human trafficking?
Forced labor or service is among the purposes the article prohibits when it occurs by a means such as coercion, threats or exploiting vulnerability. Assessing the incident itself is for the investigating authorities and the court.
Does paying money to a person's guardian to obtain their consent count as trafficking?
Yes. The article lists among the means giving or receiving sums of money or benefits to obtain the consent of a person who has control over another, where this is for one of the prohibited purposes.
More articles on Defining Human Trafficking and Its Forms
- Article 1
The article defines four terms used in the Law: human trafficking, transnational crime, organized criminal group and child.
يقصد بالمصطلحات الآتية - أينما وردت في هذا النظام - المعاني المبينة أمام كل منها، ما لم يقتض السياق غير ذلك: 1 الاتجار بالأشخاص : استخدام شخص، أو إلحاقه، أو نقل
- Article 5
The article provides that the victim's consent is not taken into account in any crime provided for in the Anti-Human Trafficking Law.
لا يعتد برضا المجني عليه في أي جريمة من الجرائم المنصوص عليها في هذا النظام .
- Article 17
The article provides that the Anti-Human Trafficking Law takes effect 90 days after the date of its publication in the Official Gazette.
يعمل بهذا النظام بعد (تسعين) يوما من تاريخ نشره في الجريدة الرسمية .
The texts are reproduced from the official website of the Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers for reference; where they differ, the officially published Arabic text prevails. This content is not legal advice.