Article 3 of the Saudi Anti-Human Trafficking Law
المادة 3 من نظام مكافحة جرائم الاتجار بالأشخاص
The article punishes the crime of human trafficking with imprisonment for up to 15 years, a fine of up to SAR 1,000,000, or both.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
يعاقب كل من ارتكب جريمة الاتجار بالأشخاص بالسجن مدة لا تزيد على (خمس عشرة) سنة، أو بغرامة لا تزيد على (مليون) ريال، أو بهما معا.
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 3 explained in plain English
This article sets the basic penalty for the crime of human trafficking, the crime defined in Article 1 and prohibited in its various forms in Article 2.
The penalty the article provides gives the court three options:
- Imprisonment for a period not exceeding 15 years.
- Or a fine not exceeding SAR 1,000,000.
- Or both imprisonment and the fine.
The article sets a maximum for each of the imprisonment and the fine and does not mention a minimum, so it is the court that assesses the appropriate penalty within this ceiling according to the circumstances of each case.
The matter does not stop at this article; Article 4 provides for increasing the penalties provided for in the Law in certain cases, including where the crime is committed by an organized criminal group, or against a woman, a child or a person with special needs, or with the use of a weapon, or where it is transnational. Anyone facing an accusation of this crime or wanting to know their rights as a victim would do well to consult a lawyer specializing in criminal cases.
Practical example
A person in Riyadh runs a business that receives workers with false promises of work, then detains them and forces them to work without pay. If the crime of human trafficking is proved against him, the court may punish him with imprisonment of up to 15 years, or a fine of up to SAR 1,000,000, or both.
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 3 of the Saudi Anti-Human Trafficking Law
What is the penalty for human trafficking in Saudi Arabia?
Imprisonment for a period not exceeding 15 years, or a fine not exceeding SAR 1,000,000, or both, bearing in mind the cases of increased penalties in Article 4.
Can imprisonment and a fine be combined for human trafficking?
Yes. The article allows the court to impose imprisonment and a fine together, or either one alone.
Is there a minimum penalty for human trafficking?
The article does not mention a minimum; it sets the maximum for imprisonment, which is 15 years, and for the fine, which is SAR 1,000,000.
More articles on Penalty for Human Trafficking
- Article 8
The article provides that anyone who contributes to the crime of human trafficking, and anyone who takes part in the crimes in Articles 2, 4 and 6, is punished with the perpetrator's penalty.
يعاقب بعقوبة الفاعل، كل من ساهم في جريمة الاتجار بالأشخاص ، وكل من تدخل في أي من الجرائم المنصوص عليها في المواد: (الثانية) و(الرابعة) و(السادسة) من هذا النظام
- Article 10
The article provides that an attempt at any of the crimes in Articles 2, 4 and 6 of the Law is punished with the penalty of the completed crime.
يعاقب على الشروع في أي من الجرائم المنصوص عليها في المواد: (الثانية) و(الرابعة) و(السادسة) من هذا النظام بعقوبة الجريمة التامة .
- Article 14
The article provides that the penalties in the Anti-Human Trafficking Law do not prevent any more severe penalty provided for in other laws from being imposed.
لا تخل العقوبات المنصوص عليها في هذا النظام بتوقيع أي عقوبة أشد منصوص عليها في أنظمة أخرى .
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.