The Shura Council is considering a new law that would provide harsher punishment for beggars in Saudi Arabia. Offenders face up to a year in prison and up to one lakh riyals. The new law provides for imprisonment for up to six months and a fine of up to 50,000 riyals for crimes such as begging, inciting others to engage in begging, conspiracy to commit begging and aiding and abetting.
However, those convicted of organized begging, inciting, aiding, abetting, and restraining beggars are liable to imprisonment for up to one year and a fine not exceeding one lakh riyals. Foreigners convicted under the new law will be deported from Saudi Arabia. They will be barred from re-entering the country on a new work visa. The foreign husband of a Saudi woman and children who do not have Saudi citizenship will not be deported. The law allows for the punishment of those caught repeatedly engaging in begging.
Saad al-Utaibi, a member of the Shura Council, demanded that the legal age of those caught begging be taken into account. The Child Protection Act and the Juvenile Law stipulate that a person must be at least eighteen years of age to commit a crime in order to be tried and punished. The proliferation of begging will increase the likelihood that government-implemented development projects in the social development sector will fail. Begging will tarnish the refined face of Saudi Arabia. In addition, it can lead to crimes and violations such as human trafficking, child labor, theft, drug trafficking, money laundering, and stray labor.
It is very important to take advantage of the participation of the society in combating the trend of begging. The main reason for this trend is the sympathy shown by the society towards the beggars. Those who are repeatedly caught begging will face imprisonment and fines. The law does not include clear action to be taken against first-time arrestees. Special consideration should be given to mitigating the punishment of those who are compelled to engage in begging for reasons beyond their control. Saad al-Utaibi also demanded that the law include more detailed precautionary measures to address the treatment and treatment of offenders in line with the ideas of contemporary penal policies.
Faisal Alfadil, a member of the Shura Council, called for amendments to the new draft law to make it more in line with the basic tenets of Islamic Sharia. The law does not differentiate between those who beg for money and those who beg indiscriminately. The law punishes those who are caught begging for a second or so, even if they are poor. The law does not punish those who are caught first, even if they are beggars.
The law does not discriminate between the poor and the needy when it comes to begging and begging. Saudi Arabia can also benefit from the experience of neighboring countries such as Bahrain, Kuwait, the UAE and Jordan. The law also makes no mention of the possibility of applying alternative punishments other than imprisonment and fines. Many European, American, and Asian countries classify different types of begging and exempt beggars from punishment without harassing or harming others. In some countries, there are no laws punishing beggars, given the fact that the majority of street beggars are deprived of basic necessities, including food, shelter, and health care, and that the government has failed to provide them with basic services. Some other countries have similar laws but are moving to repeal them.
The proposal to set up a charity fund for anti-begging activities was included in a draft law initially submitted by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development. But the draft law, which was considered by the Shura Council, does not contain this proposal. Faisal Alfadil also demanded that the poor and non-poor beggars be differentiated and the necessary amendments be made in the draft law accordingly.
There are beggars on social media, including Twitter. Samia Bukhari, a member of the Shura Council, said the new law did not address the issue. They also demanded that the department should include in the draft law a clear definition of action to be taken against first-time beggars.
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