Article 17 of the Saudi Child Protection Law
المادة 17 من نظام حماية الطفل · الفصل الرابع: حق الطفل في الرعاية والمسؤولية تجاهه
The article requires the relevant authorities to take appropriate care and rehabilitation measures promptly if the child is in an environment that exposes the child's safety to the risk of delinquency.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
على الجهات ذات العلاقة سرعة اتخاذ تدابير الرعاية والإصلاح المناسبة إذا كان الطفل في بيئة تعرض سلامته العقلية أو النفسية أو الجسدية أو التربوية لخطر الانحراف.
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 17 explained in plain English
This article turns the description "child at risk of delinquency" into a practical obligation on the relevant authorities, which are the authorities connected with child protection as determined by the Implementing Regulations under Article 1.
When does the obligation arise? If the child is in an environment that exposes the child's mental, psychological, physical or educational safety to the risk of delinquency. Risk to any one of these aspects is enough.
What is required?
- Taking appropriate care and rehabilitation measures.
- That this be done promptly, since the text requires "promptly taking" the measures.
The article does not specify the type of these measures or their details, but leaves them to the authorities' assessment according to what suits each child's situation, and the Implementing Regulations are referred to for detailed provisions.
The Law's approach here is remedial: the aim is to care for the child and rehabilitate the child. It follows Article 16, which requires all authorities to take the child's interest into account and expedite procedures taken concerning the child.
Practical example
A school in Qassim notices that a 15-year-old student is absent and is associating with a group suspected of using drugs. The child's presence in such an environment obliges the relevant authorities to promptly take appropriate care and rehabilitation measures for the child.
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 17 of the Saudi Child Protection Law
What is the authorities' duty toward a child at risk of delinquency?
They must promptly take appropriate care and rehabilitation measures if the child is in an environment that exposes the child's mental, psychological, physical or educational safety to the risk of delinquency.
Did the article specify the type of measures?
No. The article requires the measures to be appropriate and prompt without listing them.
More articles on Child at Risk of Delinquency
- Article 4
The article lists the situations in which a child is considered at risk of delinquency, such as begging, habitually running away from home, and frequenting suspicious places or being involved with drugs or gambling.
يُعد الطفل معرضًا لخطر الانحراف في أيٍّ مما يأتي: 1 - ممارسة التسول أو أي عملٍ غير مشروع. 2 - خروجه عن سلطة الأبوين أو من يقوم على رعايته. 3 - اعتياده على الهرب
- Article 12Amended by M/72
The article prohibits producing, publishing, displaying, trading in or possessing any work directed at a child that arouses the child's instincts in a way contrary to Sharia, public order or morals, or encourages the child toward delinquency.
يحظر إنتاج ونشر وعرض وتداول وحيازة أي مصنف مطبوع أو مرئي أو مسموع موجه للطفل يخاطب غريزته أو يثيرها بما يزين له سلوكا مخالفا لأحكام الشريعة الإسلامية أو النظام
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.