Article 23 of the Saudi Rights of Persons with Disabilities Law
المادة 23 من نظام حقوق الأشخاص ذوي الإعاقة · الباب الرابع: المخالفات والعقوبات
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.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
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 في صحيفة (أو أكثر) من الصحف المحلية التي تصدر في مكان إقامته، أو أي وسيلة أخرى مناسبة، وذلك بحسب نوع الفعل المخالف وجسامته وتأثيره، على أن يكون النشر بعد اكتساب الحكم 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
This article adds another tool alongside penalties: publishing a summary of the judgment. Its provisions are:
- Who decides: the competent court, and it may do so as a matter of discretion, not obligation: the phrase "the court may" means it decides at its own discretion.
- Scope: judgments imposing a penalty on anyone who commits any of the violations in Article 21, namely physical, moral or material assault; neglect, deprivation of rights, abuse and mockery, or exploitation; and impersonation or giving false information to obtain benefits.
- The means: one or more local newspapers published in the violator's place of residence, or any other suitable means.
- The cost: at the violator's expense.
- The criteria: the type of the violating act, its gravity and its impact.
- The timing: publication takes place after the judgment becomes final, so it is not published while it is open to appeal.
The purpose of publication is deterrence, since society's knowledge of the violation may sometimes have a greater effect than a fine. This article comes after Article 22, which sets the prison and fine penalties for each category of violations, and before Article 24, which gives the Public Prosecution the investigation of these violations and the bringing of the case.
Anyone who is a party to a case in which publication may be requested can consult a lawyer specializing in criminal cases.
Practical example
A final judgment has been issued convicting a person in Hail who exploited a person with a disability. Under Article 23, the competent court may decide in its judgment to publish a summary of it at the convicted person's expense in a local newspaper published in his place of residence, according to the gravity and impact of his act.
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 Rights of Persons with Disabilities Law
Is the judgment published against someone who assaults persons with disabilities?
The competent court may include in the judgment the publication of its summary at the violator's expense, according to the type, gravity and impact of the act.
When is the judgment published?
After the judgment becomes final.
Who bears the cost of publication?
Publication is at the violator's expense.
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 22
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.
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 ا
- 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.