Saudi Arabia’s Human Rights Commission program seeks to protect persons with disabilities

The rights body said the training program will also focus on the psychological signs and effects of harassment and sexual assault.(AFP/File)

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Human Rights Commission on Wednesday said it is preparing a training program to identify and check sexual harassment of persons with disabilities especially minors.
The program will be launched in January 2021, the commission said in a statement. The rights body said it is taking several measures to ensure the protection of human rights with a focus on the most vulnerable groups.
It said the commission attaches great importance to the protection of the rights of people with disabilities. In this regard, it added, several awareness campaigns were launched to ensure the vulnerable segments of society are not wronged in any manner.
The rights body said the training program will also focus on the psychological signs and effects of harassment and sexual assault.
Authorities in the Kingdom are working to further strengthen the legal framework for the protection of human rights and to check the phenomenon of sexual harassment.
Sexual harassment is defined as words or actions that hint at sexuality, coming from one person to another, that harm the body, honor or modesty of a person in any way, including through the use of modern technology.
The law provides for penalties of up to two years in prison and fines of up to SR100,000 ($26,664.5).
In 2017, a royal decree stated that “considering the dangers sexual harassment poses and its negative impact on the individual, the family and society along with its contradiction of Islamic principles, our customs and traditions,” the Interior Ministry “shall prepare a draft law to tackle sexual harassment.” The decree came days after the ban on women driving was lifted.
In May 2018, the Shoura Council and Cabinet approved legislation, drafted by the ministry and instructed by King Salman, that criminalized sexual harassment.