Article 81 of the Saudi Basic Law of Governance

This article deals with the relationship between the Basic Law of Governance and the Kingdom's international obligations. It provides that applying this Law does not prejudice the treaties and agreements that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has entered into with:

• states;
• bodies;
• international organizations.

"Does not prejudice" means that applying the provisions of the Basic Law does not affect the treaties and agreements the Kingdom has previously entered into. The text speaks of treaties and agreements the Kingdom has entered into; it does not say how or on what terms they are entered into.

This article is connected to Article 70, which provides that international treaties and agreements are issued and amended by royal decrees. It is also linked to Article 82, which prohibits suspending any provision of the Basic Law except temporarily in wartime or while a state of emergency is declared, in the manner set out in the Law, without prejudice to Article 7.

The article does not address a conflict between a particular treaty and another domestic law, and it does not say what effect treaties have directly on individuals. Anyone with a question about how an international agreement applies to their situation, for example a foreign investor, would be well advised to consult a lawyer specializing in international matters and foreign investment.