Saudi Arabia wants to punish sexual harassment in future. The Shura Council, which advises cabinet, approved an appropriate bill, Saudi Arabian authorities said. Thus dignity and personal freedom of victims should be protected “which is guaranteed according to Islamic rules and laws”.
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Thus, perpetrators of sexual harassment will in future be liable to prison sentences of up to five years or fines of 300,000 rial (69,000 euro). The law enriches “a large legislative vacuum” and serves as a deterrent, said Shura Council member Latifa al-Schaalan.
The reform was prepared on orders of Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, reported local media. It wants to make Muslim country, which is strongly conservative, with a series of reforms more modern, with more rights being granted to women who have been severely restricted so far.
Reforms include, for example, greater participation by women in economic life. In June, ban on driving women is to be lifted. You can n sit in car yourself at wheel. Human rights activists, however, criticize reforms as “cosmetic”, because country is still authoritarian, and Amnesty International has shared it. Only last week six women’s rights activists were arrested.