Article 23 of the Saudi Organ Donation Law
المادة 23 من نظام التبرع بالأعضاء البشرية
The article allows a penalty decision to include additional penalties, such as barring medical team members from practice, suspending the facility's license for up to a year, closing it, and publishing a summary of the ruling.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
يجوز تضمين الحكم أو القرار الصادر بتطبيق أي من العقوبات المنصوص عليها في الفقرة (1) من المادة (الحادية والعشرين) والفقرة (1) من المادة (الثانية والعشرين) من النظام، واحدة أو أكثر من العقوبات الآتية:
1- حرمان أي شخص من أعضاء الفريق الطبي -الذي شارك في عملية استئصال العضو البشري أو زراعته- من مزاولة المهنة بشكل مؤقت أو دائم.
2- وقف الترخيص للمنشأة الصحية بإجراء عمليات استئصال الأعضاء البشرية أو زراعتها مدة لا تتجاوز سنة.
3- إغلاق المنشأة الصحية التي ارتكب فيها الفعل المخالف مدة لا تقل عن شهرين ولا تزيد على سنة، والنظر في إغلاقها بشكل نهائي في حالة العود.
4- النص على نشر ملخص الحكم أو القرار على نفقة من ارتكب الفعل المخالف في صحيفة (أو أكثر) من الصحف المحلية تصدر في مكان إقامته، أو في أي وسيلة أخرى مناسبة، وذلك بحسب نوع الفعل المخالف المرتكب وجسامته وتأثيره، على أن يكون نشر الحكم أو القرار بعد اكتسابه الصفة النهائية.
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 23 explained in plain English
In addition to the fine or imprisonment, this article allows the judgment or decision imposing one of the penalties provided for in paragraph (1) of Article 21 or paragraph (1) of Article 22 to include one or more additional penalties from the following:
- Barring from the profession: barring any member of the medical team who took part in the removal or transplant from practicing the profession, temporarily or permanently.
- Suspending the license: suspending the health facility's license to carry out removal or transplant operations for a period not exceeding one year.
- Closure: closing the facility in which the act was committed for a period of not less than two months and not more than one year, and considering closing it permanently in the case of a repeat offense.
- Publicity: publishing a summary of the judgment or decision at the violator's expense in one or more local newspapers published where he resides, or by another suitable means, according to the type, gravity and effect of the violation, and after it becomes final.
The word "may" means that these penalties are not automatic. The body issuing the judgment or decision may assess them according to the case. Anyone exposed to such penalties, whether a doctor or a facility, is best advised to consult a lawyer who specializes in criminal or administrative cases, depending on the body that imposed the penalty.
Practical example
The criminal court convicted a hospital in Jeddah of obtaining a material payment because of donation, and sentenced it to a fine. It may add to the judgment closing the hospital for a period between two months and a year, and publishing a summary of the judgment in a local newspaper at its expense once it becomes final.
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 23 of the Saudi Organ Donation Law
Can a doctor be barred from practice for violating the donation law?
Yes. The judgment or decision may include barring any member of the participating medical team from practicing the profession, temporarily or permanently.
How long can a violating facility be closed?
Not less than two months and not more than one year, with permanent closure considered in the case of a repeat offense.
When is the judgment published against the violator?
After the judgment or decision becomes final, and at the violator's expense.
Articles this article refers to
- Article 21
The article punishes violations of the donation prohibitions and donor dignity with a fine up to SAR 500,000, trading in payment with up to two years' imprisonment and a fine up to SAR 1,000,000, and facility violations with a fine up to SAR 1,000,000.
1- مع عدم الإخلال بأي عقوبة أشد منصوص عليها في نظام آخر، يُعاقب من يرتكب الأفعال الآتية وفقاً لما يأتي: أ- من يخالف حكماً من أحكام المادتين (الثامنة) و(العاشرة)
- Article 22
The article punishes any violation of the law or regulations not covered by Article 21 with a fine not exceeding SAR 300,000, imposed by a committee the chairman forms, with objection possible before the Administrative Court.
1- فيما لم يرد في شأنه نص في المادة (الحادية والعشرين) من النظام، ودون إخلال بأي عقوبة أشد منصوص عليها في نظام آخر؛ يُعاقب كل من يرتكب فعلاً مخالفاً لحكم من أحك
More articles on Penalties for Organ Donation Violations
- Article 21
The article punishes violations of the donation prohibitions and donor dignity with a fine up to SAR 500,000, trading in payment with up to two years' imprisonment and a fine up to SAR 1,000,000, and facility violations with a fine up to SAR 1,000,000.
1- مع عدم الإخلال بأي عقوبة أشد منصوص عليها في نظام آخر، يُعاقب من يرتكب الأفعال الآتية وفقاً لما يأتي: أ- من يخالف حكماً من أحكام المادتين (الثامنة) و(العاشرة)
- Article 22
The article punishes any violation of the law or regulations not covered by Article 21 with a fine not exceeding SAR 300,000, imposed by a committee the chairman forms, with objection possible before the Administrative Court.
1- فيما لم يرد في شأنه نص في المادة (الحادية والعشرين) من النظام، ودون إخلال بأي عقوبة أشد منصوص عليها في نظام آخر؛ يُعاقب كل من يرتكب فعلاً مخالفاً لحكم من أحك
- Article 24
Employees or workers named by decision of the chairman of the Saudi Health Council, on the Director General's nomination, carry out supervision, inspection and detection of violations provided for in the law or the regulations.
يتولى الموظفون أو العاملون -الذين يصدر بتسميتهم قرار من الرئيس بناءً على ترشيح من المدير العام- أعمال الرقابة والتفتيش وضبط الأفعال المخالفة المنصوص عليها في ال
- Article 25
The article recognizes the right of anyone harmed by a violation of the law or regulations to claim compensation before the competent court, in addition to the prescribed penalties.
مع عدم الإخلال بتوقيع العقوبات المنصوص عليها في النظام، يحق لمن لحقه ضرر-نتيجة ارتكاب أي من الأفعال المخالفة المنصوص عليها في النظام أو اللائحة- حق المطالبة بال
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.