Article 21 of the Saudi Child Protection Law
المادة 21 من نظام حماية الطفل · الفصل الرابع: حق الطفل في الرعاية والمسؤولية تجاهه
The article provides that the Child Protection Law does not prejudice the obligations of other authorities or any provision guaranteeing better protection for the child in another law or an international agreement.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
لا تخل الأحكام والإجراءات المنصوص عليها في هذا النظام بما يأتي:
1 - الالتزامات المترتبة على الجهات المعنية الأخرى، كل بحسب اختصاصه.
2 - أي حكم يكفل حمايةً أفضل للطفل ينص عليه نظام آخر أو اتفاقية دولية تكون المملكة طرفًا فيها.
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 defines the relationship of the Child Protection Law to other laws and obligations, and provides that its provisions and procedures do not prejudice two things:
- The obligations of other concerned authorities, each according to its jurisdiction. The existence of this Law does not relieve any authority of the duties set for it in its field of jurisdiction.
- Any provision guaranteeing better protection for the child that is stated in another law or an international agreement to which the Kingdom is a party.
The second item is important in practice, because it means this Law is a minimum of protection and not a ceiling on it. If another law or an international agreement the Kingdom has joined contains a provision giving the child wider protection, this Law may not be relied on to reduce it. The condition for an agreement is that the Kingdom be a party to it.
The child concerned is anyone who has not exceeded eighteen under Article 1. The article does not mention particular laws or agreements. Anyone who wants to know which provision gives the most protection in a particular case can consult a lawyer who specializes in personal status cases.
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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Active contributorFrequently asked questions about Article 21 of the Saudi Child Protection Law
Does the Child Protection Law cancel other laws?
No. The article provides that its provisions do not prejudice the obligations of other concerned authorities or any provision guaranteeing better protection for the child in another law.
If an international agreement protects the child better, which applies?
The article provides that the Law does not prejudice any provision guaranteeing better protection for the child in an international agreement to which the Kingdom is a party.
More articles on Definition of a Child and the Law's Objectives
- Article 1
The article defines the Law's key terms: child, abuse in its forms, neglect, the Implementing Regulations and the relevant authorities.
لأغراض هذا النظام، يقصد بالكلمات والعبارات الآتية - أينما وردت في هذا النظام - المعاني المبينة أمام كل منها، ما لم يقتضِ سياق النص خلاف ذلك: 1 - الطفل : كل إنسا
- Article 2
The article sets out the aims of the Child Protection Law: affirming the child's rights under Sharia and law, protecting him from abuse and neglect in every environment, ensuring his care, and spreading awareness of his rights.
يهدف هذا النظام إلى ما يأتي: 1 - التأكيد على ما قررته الشريعة الإسلامية، والأنظمة والاتفاقيات الدولية التي تكون المملكة طرفًا فيها والتي تحفظ حقوق الطفل وتحميه
- Article 24
The article tasks the Minister of Social Affairs with issuing the Implementing Regulations within 90 days of the Law's publication, in coordination with the concerned authorities, and they take effect from the date the Law takes effect.
يصدر وزير الشؤون الاجتماعية اللائحة خلال (تسعين) يومًا من تاريخ نشر هذا النظام في الجريدة الرسمية، بعد التنسيق مع وزارة الداخلية ووزارة التربية والتعليم ووزارة
- Article 25
The article provides that the Child Protection Law takes effect 90 days after the date of its publication in the Official Gazette.
يعمل بهذا النظام بعد (تسعين) يومًا من تاريخ نشره في الجريدة الرسمية.
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.