Article 26 of the Saudi Rights of Persons with Disabilities Law
المادة 26 من نظام حقوق الأشخاص ذوي الإعاقة · الباب الرابع: المخالفات والعقوبات
The article punishes non-government bodies that violate Article 25 with a fine of up to SAR 500,000, doubled on repetition, with the possibility of publishing the penalty decision at their expense.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
دون إخلال بأي عقوبة أشد في أنظمة أخرى، تعاقب الجهات غير الحكومية عند مخالفتها الأحكام الواردة في المادة (الخامسة والعشرين) من النظام؛ بغرامة لا تزيد عن (خمسمائة ألف) ريال، وتضاعف العقوبة في حالة التكرار. ويجوز أيضاً نشر قرار العقوبة على نفقة الجهة المحكوم ضدها، وذلك بحسب جسامة المخالفة وتأثيرها على المجتمع.
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 26 explained in plain English
This article sets the penalty for non-government bodies that violate Article 25, meaning those that fail to adhere to the basic principles of the Law, deprive persons with disabilities of the rights and services in it, or enact discriminatory policies directly or indirectly. The penalty applies without prejudice to any more severe penalty in other laws.
The penalties:
- The fine: not more than SAR 500,000.
- Doubling: the penalty is doubled in case of repetition.
- Publication: the penalty decision may also be published at the expense of the body found against, according to the gravity of the violation and its impact on society. Publication here is discretionary and not required in every case.
Note that the article sets a maximum for the fine without a minimum, so the amount is determined in each case within this ceiling. The article does not define "repetition" or set its period.
It is followed by Article 27, which gives the Disability Care Authority the work of inspection, oversight and enforcement for violations of Article 25, with the possibility of assigning it or part of it to the non-government sector under its supervision.
A body that has been charged with a violation can consult a lawyer specializing in administrative cases.
Practical example
A company in Khobar is found to have deprived a customer with a disability of a service recognized by the Law, and then repeats the same act. For the first time the fine is up to SAR 500,000, and on repetition the penalty is doubled under Article 26, and the penalty decision may be published at the company's expense according to the gravity of the violation.
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 26 of the Saudi Rights of Persons with Disabilities Law
What is the fine for a company that violates the rights of persons with disabilities?
A fine of up to SAR 500,000, doubled in case of repetition.
Is the decision penalizing the violating body published?
The penalty decision may be published at the expense of the body found against, according to the gravity of the violation and its impact on society.
Are more severe penalties from other laws applied?
Yes. The penalty applies without prejudice to any more severe penalty in other laws.
Articles this article refers to
More articles on Violations by Non-Government Entities
- Article 25
The article prohibits non-government bodies from failing to adhere to the basic principles in Article 2, depriving persons with disabilities of the Law's rights and services, and enacting directly or indirectly discriminatory policies.
يحظر على الجهات غير الحكومية الآتي: 1- عدم التقيد بتحقيق المبادئ الأساسية المذكورة في المادة (الثانية) من النظام. 2- حرمان الأشخاص ذوي الإعاقة من الحقوق والخدما
- Article 27
The article gives the Disability Care Authority the work of inspection, oversight and enforcement for violations of Article 25, with the possibility of assigning it to the non-government sector under its supervision.
تتولى الهيئة أعمال الفحص والرقابة والضبط لما يقع من مخالفة لأحكام المادة (الخامسة والعشرين) من النظام، ويجوز لها إسناد هذه الأعمال أو بعضها إلى القطاع غير الحكو
- Article 28
The article establishes one or more committees by decision of the Authority's board, including a Sharia or legal adviser, to consider violations of Article 25 and impose the penalties of Article 26, with the right to file a grievance before the competent court.
1- تنشأ بقرار من مجلس إدارة الهيئة لجنة (أو أكثر)، لا يقل عدد أعضائها عن (ثلاثة) يكون من بينهم مستشار شرعيٌّ أو نظاميٌّ. 2- تصدر قواعد عمل اللجنة، وتحدد مكافآت
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.