Article 19 of the Saudi Elderly Rights and Care Law
المادة 19 من نظام حقوق كبير السن ورعايته
The article assigns the Public Prosecution to investigate violations of Articles 3 and 15 of the Law and to bring the case before the competent court.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
تتولى النيابة العامة التحقيق في المخالفات الواردة في المادتين (الثالثة) و(الخامسة عشرة) من النظام، وإقامة الدعوى أمام المحكمة المختصة.
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 19 explained in plain English
This article sets which body pursues criminal violations under the Law: the Public Prosecution, which has two roles:
- Investigating the violations.
- Bringing the case before the competent court.
Under this article its jurisdiction is limited to violations of two articles:
- Article 3: the elderly person's right to live with their family, and the family's duty to house and care for them in the order in Article 6.
- Article 15: the prohibition on the caregiver dealing with the elderly person's property without their consent and intentionally failing to protect the rights and care of the needy elderly person, and the prohibition on intentional mismanagement of their property by anyone entrusted with authority to deal with it.
After the case is brought, the competent court may under Article 18 impose an alternative penalty in service of the elderly. As for violations by care homes and providers of public services, Article 20 regulates them differently: a committee formed by decision of the Minister handles them, and its decision may be challenged before the administrative court.
The article does not state how a report is made or its deadlines. Anyone who wants to take action about abuse of an elderly person, or who has been accused, should consult a lawyer specializing in criminal cases.
Practical example
A daughter in Khobar learned that her brother, who supports their needy father, deals with the father's funds without his consent. This act is among the violations of Article 15, and the body that investigates it and brings the case before the competent court is the Public Prosecution.
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 19 of the Saudi Elderly Rights and Care Law
Who investigates cases of abuse of the elderly?
The Public Prosecution investigates the violations in Articles 3 and 15 of the Law.
Who brings the case against someone who mistreats an elderly person?
The Public Prosecution brings the case before the competent court for violations of Articles 3 and 15.
Does the Public Prosecution handle care home violations?
This article limits the Prosecution's jurisdiction to violations of Articles 3 and 15, while violations of Article 4 and the like are handled by a committee under Article 20.
Articles this article refers to
- Article 3
The article recognizes the elderly person's right to live with their family, and requires the family to house and care for them in the order set out in Article 6.
لكبير السن حق العيش مع أسرته، وعليها إيواؤه ورعايته، وتكون المسؤولية في ذلك على أفراد الأسرة وفقًا للتسلسل المنصوص عليه في المادة (السادسة) من النظام.
- Article 15
The article prohibits the caregiver from dealing with the elderly person's property without their consent or intentionally failing to protect their rights and care, and prohibits anyone entrusted with authority over their property from intentionally mismanaging it.
1- يحظر على العائل التصرف في مال كبير السن دون موافقته. 2- يحظر على العائل الإخلال عمدًا بحماية حقوق كبير السن المحتاج ورعايته. 3- يحظر إساءة التصرف عمدًا في ما
More articles on Penalty for Mistreating the Elderly
- Article 15
The article prohibits the caregiver from dealing with the elderly person's property without their consent or intentionally failing to protect their rights and care, and prohibits anyone entrusted with authority over their property from intentionally mismanaging it.
1- يحظر على العائل التصرف في مال كبير السن دون موافقته. 2- يحظر على العائل الإخلال عمدًا بحماية حقوق كبير السن المحتاج ورعايته. 3- يحظر إساءة التصرف عمدًا في ما
- Article 16
The article punishes breach of Articles 3 and 15 with imprisonment of up to one year or a fine of up to SAR 500,000 or both, excludes the caregiver if the father or wife, and allows doubling for repeat offense.
1- يعاقب من يخل بأيٍّ من أحكام المادتين (الثالثة) و(الخامسة عشرة) من النظام، بعقوبة أو أكثر من العقوبات الآتية: أ- السجن مدة لا تزيد على سنة. ب- غرامة لا تزيد ع
- Article 17
The article applies the harsher penalty if any of the acts prohibited in Article 15 constitutes a crime under other laws.
إذا شكل أي من الأفعال الواردة في المادة (الخامسة عشرة) من النظام؛ جريمة بموجب أنظمة أخرى؛ فتطبق العقوبة الأشد.
- Article 18
The article allows the competent court to impose an alternative penalty to those in Article 16, provided that it is in service of the elderly.
للمحكمة المختصة أن تحكم بعقوبة بديلة عن العقوبات الواردة في المادة (السادسة عشرة) من النظام على أن تكون في خدمة كبار السن.
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.