Saudi Arabia begins imposing penalties for violations of rights of disabled persons

RIYADH — The Saudi Authority for the Care of People with Disabilities (APD) has commenced directly enforcing penalties for breaches of Article 25 in the Law of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. A dedicated committee has been established to investigate infractions by non-governmental organizations and impose specified penalties.

These penalties can reach up to SR500,000, with the amount doubled for repeat offenses. The law prohibits non-governmental entities from disregarding fundamental principles outlined in Article Two, denying persons with disabilities their guaranteed rights and services, or implementing policies that discriminate directly or indirectly based on disability.

The APD clarified that this enforcement authority stems from the Law on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the rules for inspection, oversight, and enforcement adopted by the authority's Board of Directors. These rules dictate the authority's approach to addressing violations by non-governmental organizations, encompassing private and non-profit sectors.

The APD stressed that the law secures rights across various domains for individuals with disabilities, and they remain committed to ensuring compliance among organizations, protecting the rights of persons with disabilities, and promoting their equal access to services, thereby fostering an inclusive society that empowers and provides equal opportunities.

Major violations under the APD's purview include discriminatory policies targeting individuals with disabilities, discriminatory treatment of such individuals, hindering their ability to conduct legal transactions and manage personal affairs independently, and denying them access to essential services like education, training, healthcare, insurance, and financial services, as well as their right to mobility.