Article 17 of the Saudi Anti-Human Trafficking Law

This article sets the date the Anti-Human Trafficking Law takes effect, meaning the day its provisions begin to apply. The rule is that the Law takes effect 90 days after the date of its publication in the Official Gazette.

What does this mean?

• Publication in the Official Gazette is the starting point for counting the period.
• Once the 90 days have passed the Law is in force and its provisions apply, including the prohibition, the penalties and the measures to protect victims.
• The interval between publication and taking effect allows bodies and individuals to learn of the Law and prepare to apply it.

The text of the article does not state the date of publication or the date on which it actually took effect; it only sets the rule for counting. The date of publication can be found from the Law's official issuance details.

This article follows Article 16, which gives the Bureau of Investigation and Public Prosecution jurisdiction to investigate and prosecute the Law's crimes and to inspect the places where victims are sheltered. Anyone with a question about applying the Law to particular events in terms of time would do well to consult a lawyer specializing in criminal cases.