Saudi newspapers highlighted in their editorials today a number of issues at local, regional and international arenas. Al-Riyadh Newspaper reported in its editorial that harassment is one of the heinous crimes that all countries fight, and impose strict regulations to confront it and punish the perpetrators, due to the seriousness of harassment and its devastating psychological effects. Therefore, laws and regulations aimed at fighting harassment are strict due to it being a serious crime and its perpetrators are punishable by penalties and prison. The paper also said that in this regard, the Cabinet approved Tuesday to add a Paragraph (3) to Article (6) of Anti-harassment Law to include the sentence issued determining the penalties to be published at the expense of the convicted person in one or more local newspapers, or in any other appropriate means, according to the gravity of the crime and its impact on society. The paper further said that the Saudi Anti-Harassment Law criminalizes all kinds and forms of harassment, as it is a gross violation of the rights of victims, and a perverted practice that is criminalized by Islamic law and all religions. The Anti-Harassment Law applies maximum penalties on perpetrators up to five years in prison and paying a penalty of SAR 300,000. The Anti-Harassment Law seeks to create a healthy, safe and attractive work environment for jobseekers, especially with the expansion in women's employment and their great entry into the labor market. The paper concluded that the government of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques is keen to provide a healthy work environment in all government and private sectors, in which everyone is valued, respected and equal. It is also keen to protect everyone, including women and children, from harassment. The government has already taken many measures and adopted regulations that are compatible with the provisions of Islamic law and international obligations aiming at fighting harassment, protecting children, protecting from abuse, and combating trafficking in persons and cybercrimes. The government also facilitated the process of reporting harassment cases, provided new tools and applications to make it easier for victims to report harassment crimes, and provided support to victims to overcome the effects of this crime.
