Saudi Gazette report

RIYADH — The Shoura Council on Wednesday approved the penalty of naming and shaming of those involved in harassment. Dr. Abdullah Al-Moatani, deputy president of the Council, chaired the virtual session of the Council, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Dr. Yahya Al-Samaan, assistant president of the Council, said in a press statement that the Council session has endorsed to add the punishment of defamation to the penalties stipulated in the Anti-Harassment Law issued by a Royal Decree on 2 June 2018 and that will be in accordance with the gravity of the crime and its impact on the society.

The Council took the decision after listening to a report of the security affairs committee, read out by its Chairman Maj. Gen. Ali Asiri, and taking into account of the opinions expressed by a number of members while taking part in deliberations at the session with regard to amendment in the law.

The session was held in the presence of Minister of State and Member of the Cabinet for the Affairs of the Shoura Council Dr. Muhammad Abu Saq.

The Shoura decision attains significance in view of the fact that defamation of harassers will act as a deterrent to people who commit this crime and thus will limit its spread in the Kingdom.

The Anti-Harassment Law makes it a criminal offense, punishable by imprisonment or fine or of both for anyone to harass another by any statement, act or signal of a sexual nature by whatever means, including the use of modern technology.

Nod to have electronic

access for the disabled

In another decision, the Council called on the Commission for the Care of the People with Special Needs, in coordination with the National Information Center and other relevant agencies, to activate the national electronic register for people with special needs so as to enable this section of the society to enjoy electronic services in the social, educational and health fields without personally contacting the respective offices.

The Council took the decision after examining the report of the committee for the social, family and youth affairs, presented by its Deputy Chairman Abdullah Al-Khaledi related to the annual report of the commission.

The Council also asked the commission to prepare vocational and training programs for the vocational empowerment of people with special needs and creating them suitable jobs and that is in coordination with the Technical and Vocational Training Corporation.