Saudi Arabia (finally) outaws domestic abuse.

[sufrommich]

SAUDI Arabia has adopted a law criminalizing domestic violence, usually targeting women and children, in a move hailed by activists.

The law, approved by the cabinet on Monday, is aimed at protecting people from "all forms of abuse" and offering them shelter as well as "social, psychological, and medical aid," according to its text.

Violators face penalties of one month to one year in prison and/or a 5000 riyal to 50,000 riyal ($1330-13,300) fine.

The measures - which are unprecedented for the ultra-conservative kingdom - concern "any sort of physical or psychological violence," said the social affairs ministry's website.

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/world/saudi-arabia-outlaws-domestic-violence/story-fni0xs61-1226707138692

[Marrah_G]

1. That's great, if they will enforce it

And if the women won't pay a bigger price at home for reporting it.

[sufrommich]

2. Very true,but it's a beginning. nt

[hughee99]

3. Is this similar to other laws in the area, where in order to prosecute,

they need to have 4 male adult witnesses willing to testify or a confession?

[sufrommich]

4. That's a good question, the artice doesn't

elaborate.

[cbayer]

5. Well, it's a good step but they have a long, long way to go.

[DreamGypsy]

6. More information from a different report ...

...Reuters, Saudi Arabia passes kingdom's first domestic abuse law:

The "Protection from Abuse" law is the first of its kind in the ultra-conservative country, which has often faced international criticism for lacking laws that protect women and domestic workers against abuse.

<snip>

"This is a good law that serves major segments of the society in the kingdom, including women, children, domestic workers and non-domestic workers," Khaled al-Fakher, secretary general of the National Society for Human Rights, a government-licensed body, told Reuters.

<snip>

The law gives those who report abuse the right to remain anonymous, as well as immunity from litigation should abuse fail to be proven in a court. It also urges witnesses to report abuse without having to disclose their identity, which Fakher said is a significant part of the law.

Rights activist Waleed Abu al-Khair said the new law gives women some independence.

"Women were required to bring in a male relative if they showed up at a police station to file a complaint," Abu al-Khair said. This will not now be necessary, he said.