The government formed a committee to safeguard the rights of individuals with disabilities, following last week’s cabinet approval, according to a statement. The rules were set in place to ensure fairness and transparency. The committee is responsible for investigating violations of disability laws and deciding on the appropriate penalties for those violations. These rules are now in effect.
The structure: The committee comprises three main members — appointed by a governing board — plus one reserve member with legal or religious expertise. These members serve three-year renewable terms.
Committee responsibilities: The committee reviews violations and makes decisions by majority vote, notifying offenders either electronically or in writing. Violations are submitted by the relevant authority using a specific form and are officially recorded once all necessary documentation is complete. The committee will only consider cases that include all required documents and information about the violator’s location. Decisions can be appealed in court, but remain in effect unless overturned. Penalties are enforced based on the severity of each offense and repeat violations are investigated.
Confidentiality is critical: Members must keep case details private, even after leaving the committee. Former members are also prohibited from using any information obtained during their term after it ends. Members and the secretary must retain all documents, whether manual or electronic and return them after use, unless they are part of a decision that must be documented.
DIG DEEPER- Violations of the rights of people with disabilities are outlined in Article 21 of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities System here.
IN OTHER LEGISLATION NEWS-
The Transport General Authority adds 60-day appeal period for car rental violations: A party that has been found in violation of the car rental terms and conditions will now have a 60-day period after they were notified to file an appeal with the authority’s administrative court, according to the official gazette Umm Al Qura. The new regulations went into effect when they were published to the gazette, canceling any previous rulings that conflict with the updated version.