Article 21 of the Saudi Antiquities Law
المادة 21 من نظام الآثار والمتاحف والتراث العمراني
The Commission, under existing laws, encourages the creation of associations specialized in antiquities, heritage and museums, and these associations may benefit from the support of the Antiquities, Museums and Urban Heritage Fund.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
تشجع الهيئة - وفقاً للأنظمة القائمة - إنشاء جمعيات متخصصة في مجال الآثار والتراث والمتاحف، ويكون لهذه الجمعيات الاستفادة من دعم صندوق الآثار والمتاحف والتراث العمراني.
This is the official Arabic wording, the only legally binding version. We do not translate the law itself; the explanation below is ours. Official source: Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers
Article 21 explained in plain English
This article opens the way for civil society work in protecting antiquities and heritage.
- The Commission's role: to encourage the creation of specialized associations.
- The associations' field: antiquities, heritage and museums.
- The framework: under existing laws; an association is created under the laws in force for creating associations, and this article creates no special procedures for that.
- The benefit: these associations may benefit from the support of the Antiquities, Museums and Urban Heritage Fund.
The Fund mentioned is created under Article 20, and one of its uses is supporting the efforts of the private sector, including individuals, institutions and civil associations, in a way that serves the aims of the Law; the regulations set the rules for spending its money.
Note that the article speaks of the Commission "encouraging" and of "benefiting from support," and does not state the amount of support, its conditions or how to request it; these details are for the regulations governing the Fund.
This article helps academics and people from the regions who are interested in heritage and want organized work to document and protect their regions' heritage, as specialized associations give them a framework for work that the Commission encourages and that can benefit from the Fund's support.
Translated from our Arabic explanation with machine assistance. For guidance only; it does not replace advice from a lawyer on your situation.
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Frequently asked questions about Article 21 of the Saudi Antiquities Law
Can an association specialized in heritage be created?
Yes. The Commission, under existing laws, encourages the creation of associations specialized in antiquities, heritage and museums.
Do heritage associations receive support?
These associations may benefit from the support of the Antiquities, Museums and Urban Heritage Fund.
More articles on Investing in Archaeological Sites and the Antiquities Fund
- Article 14
The Commission, in coordination with the concerned authorities, sets the rules for investing in archaeological and urban heritage sites.
تضع الهيئة - بالتنسيق مع الجهات المعنية - قواعد استثمار مواقع الآثار والتراث العمراني.
- Article 18
The article requires whoever owns or controls a registered antiquity or urban heritage site to preserve it, requires a Commission license to invest in or operate it, obliges the investor to maintain it, and allows a charge for visits.
1- على الشخص الذي يقع في ملكيته أو تحت سلطته أثر أو موقع تراث عمراني مسجل في سجل الآثار، أو التراث العمراني؛ المحافظة عليه. 2 - لا يجوز استثمار الأثر وموقع التر
- Article 19
Everyone who occupies an archaeological, historic, folk heritage or urban site must allow the Commission's competent staff to enter to view and study it, under the statutory procedures.
على كل شخص يشغل موقعاً أثرياً، أو تاريخياً، أو موقع تراث شعبي، أو عمراني؛ أن يسمح لموظفي الهيئة المختصين بالدخول؛ للاطلاع عليه ودراسته وفقاً للإجراءات النظامية.
- Article 20
The article creates the Antiquities, Museums and Urban Heritage Fund to spend on protecting antiquities, building museums and supporting the private sector, and sets its resources from revenues, compensation and donations.
1- ينشأ في الهيئة صندوق يسمى (صندوق الآثار والمتاحف والتراث العمراني)؛ للإنفاق منه على حماية الآثار، والتراث العمراني، والمحافظة عليها، وصيانتها، وعرضها، وتوظيف
- Article 52
The article refers to the regulations the mechanism for contributing to the costs of maintaining, repairing and restoring a classified urban heritage building or site if its owner is unable to do so.
تبين اللوائح آلية المساهمة في تكاليف صيانة مبنى أو موقع التراث العمراني المصنف وإصلاحه وترميمه، إذا عجز مالكه عن القيام بذلك.
The texts are reproduced from the official website of the Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers for reference; where they differ, the officially published Arabic text prevails. This content is not legal advice.