Does Saudi Arabia Protect the Rights of Persons with Disabilities?

Yes, according to the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Law issued by Royal Decree on August 27, 2023, which includes thirty-three statutory articles guaranteeing the rights of persons with disabilities in mobility, prevention, social care, and rehabilitation.

The articles of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Law stipulated their rights to prevention, care, and rehabilitation services, and encouraged institutions and individuals to contribute to charitable works in the field of disability. This applies to the following fields: health, educational and pedagogical, training and rehabilitation, employment, social, cultural, sports, media, and complementary service fields.

The articles of the law affirmed that persons with disabilities are entitled to obtain facilitated loans to start professional or commercial activities suitable to their abilities, whether individually or collectively. Tools and equipment specific to persons with disabilities in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia are exempt from customs duties. The law also affirmed their right to have their needs considered, and to enable them to obtain banking, financial, and insurance services without discrimination.

In the Kingdom, there is also the Authority for the Care of Persons with Disabilities, as stipulated in the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Law. It undertakes examination, monitoring, and enforcement tasks for any violations of the provisions of Article Twenty-Five of the law. The authority may delegate these tasks or some of them to the non-governmental sector, whose activities in this regard shall be under its supervision. The board of directors of that authority determines the regulations governing this in accordance with the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Law.