Article 22 of the Saudi Rights of Persons with Disabilities Law
المادة 22 من نظام حقوق الأشخاص ذوي الإعاقة · الباب الرابع: المخالفات والعقوبات
The article sets the penalties for the violations in Article 21: imprisonment of up to two years or one year, or a fine, depending on the act, doubled where the person is a child or elderly, and a fine for impersonation.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
مع عدم الإخلال بأي عقوبة أشد في أنظمة أخرى:
1- يعاقب بالسجن مدة لا تزيد عن (سنتين) أو بغرامة لا تزيد عن (خمسمائة ألف) ريال، أو بهما معاً، كل من يرتكب أيًّا من الأفعال الواردة في الفقرة (1) من المادة (الحادية والعشرين) من النظام. وتضاعف العقوبة في حال كون الشخص ذي الإعاقة طفلاً أو مسناً، وللمحكمة المختصة -في الحالات التي تحقق مصلحة للأشخاص ذوي الإعاقة- الحكم بعقوبة بديلة عن السجن.
2- يعاقب بالسجن مدة لا تزيد عن (سنة) أو بغرامة لا تزيد عن (مائتين وخمسين ألف) ريال، أو بهما معاً، كل من يرتكب أيًّا من الأفعال الواردة في الفقرة (2) من المادة (الحادية والعشرين) من النظام. وتضاعف العقوبة في حال كون الشخص ذي الإعاقة طفلاً أو مسناً، وللمحكمة المختصة -في الحالات التي تحقق مصلحة للأشخاص ذوي الإعاقة- الحكم بعقوبة بديلة عن السجن.
3- يعاقب بغرامة لا تقل عن (عشرة آلاف) ريال ولا تزيد عن (خمسمائة ألف) ريال، كل من يرتكب أيًّا من الأفعال الواردة في الفقرة (3) من المادة (الحادية والعشرين) من النظام.
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 22 explained in plain English
This article sets the penalties for each paragraph of Article 21, without prejudice to any more severe penalty in other laws:
- Physical, moral or material assault (paragraph 1 of Article 21): imprisonment of up to two years, or a fine of up to SAR 500,000, or both.
- Neglect, deprivation of rights, abuse and mockery, or exploitation (paragraph 2): imprisonment of up to one year, or a fine of up to SAR 250,000, or both.
- Impersonation or giving false information to obtain benefits (paragraph 3): a fine of not less than SAR 10,000 and not more than SAR 500,000.
Doubling: in the first and second cases, the penalty is doubled if the person with a disability is a child or an elderly person.
Alternative penalty: in the first and second cases as well, the competent court may impose a penalty in place of imprisonment, in cases that serve the interest of persons with disabilities. The article does not mention doubling or an alternative penalty in the third case.
This article is followed by Article 23, which allows the competent court to include in its judgment publication of a summary of it at the violator's expense once it becomes final. Anyone who is a party to a case of this kind, as victim or accused, can consult a lawyer specializing in criminal cases.
Practical example
It is established that a worker at a care center physically assaulted an elderly person with a disability. His act falls within paragraph 1 of Article 21, and he is punished under paragraph 1 of Article 22 with imprisonment of up to two years or a fine of up to SAR 500,000 or both, with the penalty doubled because the victim is elderly.
Translated from our Arabic explanation with machine assistance. For guidance only; it does not replace advice from a lawyer on your situation.
How we write and review contentCriminal Law lawyers: ask a specialist about your case
Describe your situation briefly and we'll suggest a lawyer who specialises in this law
Criminal Law lawyers
Lawyers who handle this kind of case
Ibrahim Al Salem Law Firm
Active contributor
Dr. Ali Al-Rubaie Law Office and Ittihad Al-Asr Legal Company
Frequently asked questions about Article 22 of the Saudi Rights of Persons with Disabilities Law
What is the penalty for assaulting a person with a disability?
Imprisonment of up to two years or a fine of up to SAR 500,000 or both, with the penalty doubled if the person is a child or elderly.
What is the penalty for impersonating a disability to obtain benefits?
A fine of not less than SAR 10,000 and not more than SAR 500,000.
What is the penalty for neglecting or mocking a person with a disability?
Imprisonment of up to one year or a fine of up to SAR 250,000 or both, with doubling if the person is a child or elderly.
Can a penalty other than imprisonment be imposed?
Yes. In the first and second cases, the competent court may impose a penalty in place of imprisonment in cases that serve the interest of persons with disabilities.
Articles this article refers to
More articles on Penalty for Assaulting Persons with Disabilities
- Article 21
The article specifies the acts that violate the Law: assaulting persons with disabilities, neglecting, depriving, abusing or exploiting them, and impersonating them or giving false information to obtain benefits.
يعد مخالفاً لأحكام النظام كل شخص قام بفعل يعرض الأشخاص ذوي الإعاقة لأيٍّ مما يأتي: 1- الاعتداء عليهم جسديًّا أو معنويًّا أو ماديًّا. 2- إهمالهم، أو حرمانهم من ح
- Article 23
The article allows the competent court to include in a conviction judgment under Article 21 the publication of its summary at the violator's expense in local newspapers or another suitable means, once the judgment becomes final.
للمحكمة المختصة تضمين الحكم -الصادر بعقوبة من يرتكب أيا من المخالفات المنصوص عليها في المادة (الحادية والعشرون) من النظام- النص على نشر ملخصه على نفقة المخالف ف
- Article 24
The article makes the Public Prosecution the body competent to investigate the violations in Article 21 and to bring the case before the competent court.
تتولى النيابة العامة التحقيق في المخالفات المنصوص عليها في المادة (الحادية والعشرين) من النظام، وإقامة الدعوى أمام المحكمة المختصة.
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.