Decision No. (446) dated 1447/07/03 AH
The Council of Ministers
After reviewing in its session chaired by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, the correspondence received from the Royal Court No. 48299 dated 1446/7/5 AH, including the telegram of His Excellency the Minister of Human Resources and Social Development No. 90229 dated 1446/6/29 AH, regarding His Excellency's request to approve the unified rules for the empowerment of persons with disabilities for the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf, issued by the Supreme Council of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf in its (forty-fifth) session held on 1446/5/29 AH.
After reviewing the aforementioned rules.
After reviewing Memorandum No. (614) dated 1447/2/12 AH, prepared by the Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers.
After reviewing the recommendation of the Council of Economic and Development Affairs No. (6-4/47/T) dated 1447/4/3 AH.
After reviewing the recommendation of the General Committee of the Council of Ministers No. (5629) dated 1447/5/24 AH.
It is decided:
To approve the unified rules for the empowerment of persons with disabilities for the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf, which were adopted by the Supreme Council of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf in its (forty-fifth) session held in Kuwait City on 1446/5/29 AH corresponding to 2024/12/1 AD, in the attached form.
Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud
Unified Rules for the Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities for the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf
The Supreme Council of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf:
Having reviewedthe Charter of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf,
and the Unified Guiding Law for the Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities in the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf, approved by the Supreme Council in its 41st session held on 21 Jumada al-Awwal 1442 AH corresponding to 5 January 2021 AD,
and based on the recommendation of the Council of Ministers of Social Affairs/Development of the Council States,
and on the recommendation of the Ministerial Council in its 162nd preparatory session for the 45th session of the Supreme Council held on 26 Jumada al-Awwal 1446 AH corresponding to 28 November 2024 AD,
the Supreme Council of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf, in its 45th session held in the State of Kuwait on 29 Jumada al-Awwal 1446 AH corresponding to 1 December 2024 AD, has approved the Unified Rules for the Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities in the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf, the text of which is as follows:
Rule 1: Objective
These rules aim to establish the minimum standards required in the legislation of the GCC countries to empower persons with disabilities and ensure their rights.
Rule 2: Mandatory Nature
A- The GCC countries shall take the necessary measures to incorporate these rules into their national legislations, in accordance with their constitutional procedures.
B- The GCC countries shall notify the General Secretariat of the GCC of the legislations incorporating these rules.
C- The provisions of these rules shall not prejudice any national legislation that includes or may include rights, privileges, or preferential treatment with broader application.
Rule 3: Agreements and Treaties
The application of the provisions of these rules shall not prejudice the commitment of the GCC countries to the international agreements, treaties, and charters to which they are parties.
Rule 4: Rights and Freedoms
The GCC countries guarantee persons with disabilities the enjoyment of all fundamental rights and freedoms on an equal basis with all members of society.
Rule 5: Empowerment
The GCC countries work to enable persons with disabilities to participate fully and effectively in society.
Rule 6: Prohibition of Discrimination
The GCC countries work to prohibit all forms of discrimination against persons with disabilities based on their disability, and their dignity and autonomy must be respected, including the freedom to make their own choices.
Rule 7: Guarantee of Equal Opportunities
The GCC countries provide all necessary facilities and accommodations to achieve equal opportunities between persons with disabilities and all members of society.
Rule 8: Accessibility and Facilitative Arrangements
The GCC countries shall take appropriate measures to ensure the accessibility of persons with disabilities to public services, modern technologies, and reasonable accommodations.