Article 32 of the Saudi Basic Law of Governance
المادة 32 من النظام الأساسي للحكم · الباب الخامس: الحقوق والواجبات
The Article obliges the State to work to preserve, protect and develop the environment and prevent pollution of it.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
تعمل الدولة على المحافظة على البيئة وحمايتها وتطويرها ومنع التلوث عنها.
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 32 explained in plain English
This Article places a general duty on the State toward the environment, and this duty covers four aspects mentioned expressly in the text:
- Preserving the environment: that is, keeping it sound and safeguarding its resources.
- Protecting it: that is, warding off what may harm it.
- Developing it: that is, working to improve it rather than merely maintaining it.
- Preventing pollution of it: an obligation named expressly in the text.
The Article is framed as a general principle that guides the work of the State. It does not specify the competent bodies, list environmental violations, or set penalties or procedures, and these details are not addressed by the text of the Article.
The Article falls in Chapter Five, "Rights and Duties", and is read alongside Article 31, which provides that the State attends to public health and provides health care for every citizen; both deal with general obligations of the State toward society.
In practical terms, the Article shows that protecting the environment and preventing pollution are among the tasks that the Basic Law of Governance places on the State. Anyone with a specific environmental matter involving a public body would be well advised to consult a lawyer who specializes in administrative cases.
Practical example
Residents of a neighborhood in Dammam notice waste leaking onto a nearby vacant plot. Article 32 shows that preventing pollution of the environment is among the general duties that the Basic Law of Governance places on the State, but the Article does not specify the body to which a report is submitted or how it is handled.
Translated from our Arabic explanation with machine assistance. For guidance only; it does not replace advice from a lawyer on your situation.
How we write and review contentA question about Article 32 of Basic Law of Governance?
Describe what happened and specialist lawyers answer. You can write in English.
- Completely free
- Lawyers from the directory answer
- Your name stays hidden
Administrative Law lawyers: ask a specialist about your case
Describe your situation briefly and we'll suggest a lawyer who specialises in this law
Administrative Law (Board of Grievances) lawyers
Lawyers who handle this kind of case
Dr. Ali Al-Rubaie Law Office and Ittihad Al-Asr Legal Company
Active contributor
Unwan Law Firm
Frequently asked questions about Article 32 of the Saudi Basic Law of Governance
Does the Basic Law of Governance provide for protecting the environment?
Yes. Article 32 provides that the State works to preserve, protect and develop the environment and prevent pollution of it.
Does Article 32 set penalties for pollution?
No. The Article establishes a general principle for the State and does not mention violations, penalties or procedures.
How does this Article relate to public health?
It is read with Article 31, which provides that the State attends to public health and provides health care for every citizen; both are general obligations of the State.
More articles on Human Rights and Social Care
- Article 26
The Article provides that the State protects human rights in accordance with Islamic Sharia.
تحمي الدولة حقوق الإنسان، وفق الشريعة الإسلامية.
- Article 27
The Article provides that the State guarantees the right of the citizen and his family in emergencies, illness, disability and old age, supports the social security system, and encourages contributions to charitable works.
تكفل الدولة حق المواطن وأسرته، في حالة الطوارئ، والمرض، والعجز، والشيخوخة، وتدعم نظام الضمان الاجتماعي، وتشجع المؤسسات والأفراد على الإسهام في الأعمال الخيرية.
- Article 28
The Article provides that the State facilitates work opportunities for everyone able to work and enacts laws that protect the worker and the employer.
تيسر الدولة مجالات العمل لكل قادر عليه، وتسن الأنظمة التي تحمي العامل وصاحب العمل.
- Article 31
The Article provides that the State attends to public health and provides health care for every citizen.
تعنى الدولة بالصحة العامة، وتوفر الرعاية الصحية لكل مواطن.
- Article 35
The Article refers the rules of Saudi Arabian nationality to the law.
يبين النظام أحكام الجنسية العربية السعودية.
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.