Sex offenders face jail time of up to one year and fines between SR50,000 and SR100,000 according to new draft legislation under discussion at the Shoura Council.

The proposed law also expands the definition of sexual harassment to include extortion, human trafficking, and financial and psychological exploitation under the “honor” system practiced by some communities.

The new bill would do away with the current provision, which many consider un-Islamic, that offenders are not punished if they reconcile with their victims.

The draft bill is entitled, “The System to Combat Harassment and Extortion of Both Sexes,” and was submitted by a member of the committee on social affairs, family and youth. The legislation is under study currently by the Shoura’s Islamic and judicial affairs committee, human rights organizations and other bodies.

Article 6 of the bill includes imprisonment of six months to one year and fines between SR20,000 and SR50,000 for other types of sexual violations. These penalties are doubled if the violations are repeated.

In addition, fines for offenders in positions of authority, such as the head of an institution, would be between SR50,000 and SR100,000.