Media Center

In a world full of challenges and rapid changes, maintaining State security is one of the solid foundations that guarantees the stability and prosperity of our societies. Everyone, whatever his role, bears the responsibility of protecting the homeland and preserving its secrets.

 

The leaking of sensitive information in any State represents a serious threat to national, economic and political security, as such leaks could threaten the security of States, endanger their interests and clearly violate their privacy and sovereignty. 

 

In view of the rapid technological development and the reliance on digital systems to save and store data, confidential information of all types and sources is threatened to be leaked more than ever. This danger is not limited to cyberattacks from abroad only, but may be the result of internal leaks by employees and workers by mistake, by negligence or even with the intention of boasting about the possession of such information. This entails legal consequences and confrontations, including criminal penalties such as fines and imprisonment, in addition to civil liability in financial compensation for resulting damages.  Article 432 of Federal Law Decree No. 31 of 2021 provides for the promulgation of the Code of Crimes and Penalties to imprisonment for a term of not less than one year and a fine of not less than 20,000 DHS, or one of these two penalties, a person who, by virtue of his profession, trade, status or art, has secret information and may disclose it in circumstances other than those permitted by law or used for his own benefit or for the benefit of another person, unless the person concerned in these secret information authorized to disclosure or use. The penalty shall be a term of up to five years imprisonment if the offender is a public official or in charge of a public service who holds the secret information during, for the reason of, or on the occasion of the performance of his function or service. ‏ Article 167 of that Law stipulates that any public official or in charge of a public service who discloses a secret of the defense of the State shall be liable to life imprisonment. The death penalty shall be imposed if the crime takes place in time of war.

 

State security is not only dependent on government efforts and security institutions, but also extends to individuals' awareness and concern not to disclose information that may infringe on the country's sovereignty and integrity, and protecting information is not just a national duty, it is a secretariat shared by all to build a secure and stable future.