Article 7 of the Saudi Anti-Human Trafficking Law
المادة 7 من نظام مكافحة جرائم الاتجار بالأشخاص
The article punishes with imprisonment for up to two years, a fine of up to SAR 100,000, or both, anyone who knows of a trafficking crime or an attempt and does not report it at once, even if bound by professional secrecy.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
يعاقب بالسجن مدة لا تزيد على (سنتين) أو بغرامة لا تزيد على (مائة ألف) ريال، أو بهما معا؛ كل من علم بارتكاب جريمة من الجرائم المنصوص عليها في هذا النظام، أو علم بالشروع فيها، ولو كان مسؤولا عن السر المهني، أو حصل على معلومات أو إرشادات تتعلق بها بصفة مباشرة أو غير مباشرة، ولم يبلغ فورا الجهات المختصة بذلك .
ويجوز للمحكمة المختصة استثناء الوالدين والأولاد والزوجين والإخوة والأخوات من أحكام هذه المادة.
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 7 explained in plain English
This article imposes a duty to report human trafficking crimes, and punishes anyone who breaches it with imprisonment for a period not exceeding two years, or a fine not exceeding SAR 100,000, or both.
Who is covered by the duty?
- Anyone who knows that a crime provided for in the Law has been committed, or knows of an attempt to commit it.
- Anyone who obtained information or guidance relating to it, directly or indirectly.
For the violation to exist, the person must have failed to report to the competent authorities at once. The article expressly states that the duty applies even if the person is responsible for professional secrecy, so a duty of professional confidentiality is not a justification for staying silent about these crimes.
The exception for relatives: the competent court may exempt from the article's provision parents, children, spouses, brothers and sisters. The exception is permissive, meaning it is left to the court's discretion and is not automatic.
This article comes within a group of provisions that protect the course of justice, such as Article 6, which punishes influencing witnesses and interfering with the work of officials. Anyone who knows of an incident and hesitates to report it, or who faces an accusation of failing to report, would do well to consult a lawyer specializing in criminal cases.
Practical example
An employee at a services office learned from his colleagues' conversation that the office owner receives women and forces them to work. He stayed silent and did not report. If his knowledge and his failure to report at once are proved, he may be punished by imprisonment of up to two years, a fine of up to SAR 100,000, 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 7 of the Saudi Anti-Human Trafficking Law
Is someone who knows of a human trafficking crime and does not report it punished?
Yes. They are punished by imprisonment for a period not exceeding two years, a fine not exceeding SAR 100,000, or both, if they do not report to the competent authorities at once.
Does professional secrecy excuse a person from reporting human trafficking?
No. The article provides that the duty to report applies even if the person is responsible for professional secrecy.
Is a father or brother punished if they do not report on their relative?
The competent court may exempt parents, children, spouses, brothers and sisters from the article's provision, and the matter is left to its discretion.
More articles on Failure to Report and Obstructing Justice
- Article 6
The article punishes with imprisonment for up to 5 years, a fine of up to SAR 200,000, or both, anyone who incites false testimony or false evidence, or uses force to interfere with the work of officials enforcing the Law.
يعاقب بالسجن مدة لا تزيد على (خمس) سنوات، أو بغرامة لا تزيد على (مائتي ألف) ريال، أو بهما معا؛ كل ممن يأتي: 1 ـ من استخدم القوة البدنية أو التهديد أو الترهيب أو
- Article 9
The article punishes with imprisonment for up to 5 years, a fine of up to SAR 200,000, or both, anyone who possesses, conceals or disposes of proceeds of the Law's crimes, conceals an accomplice, or helps conceal the crime's traces.
يعاقب بالسجن مدة لا تزيد على (خمس) سنوات، أو بغرامة لا تزيد على (مائتي ألف) ريال، أو بهما معا ؛ كل من حاز أشياء متحصلة من إحدى الجرائم المنصوص عليها في هذا النظ
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.