Article 5 of the Saudi Child Protection Law
المادة 5 من نظام حماية الطفل · الفصل الثاني: حق الطفل في الحماية
The article provides that the child has priority in enjoying protection, care and relief in all circumstances.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
للطفل - في جميع الأحوال - أولوية التمتع بالحماية والرعاية والإغاثة.
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 5 explained in plain English
This article is short but sets a general rule that opens Chapter Two on the child's right to protection: the child, meaning anyone who has not exceeded eighteen under Article 1, has priority in enjoying three things:
- Protection: from abuse, neglect and whatever threatens the child's safety.
- Care: meeting the child's needs and providing what the child requires.
- Relief: providing help and assistance to the child when needed.
The phrase "in all circumstances" means this priority is not tied to a particular situation. It applies whether the child is with the family, in a care home or on the street, and whether the child is a victim of abuse or at risk of delinquency as in Article 4.
In practice, this article serves as a reference for interpreting the rest of the Law's provisions in the child's interest, and it works together with Article 6, which provides the child's right to protection from all forms of abuse and neglect. The article itself does not specify procedures for applying this priority or a particular authority; the details come in other articles of the Law and its Implementing Regulations.
Practical example
When a traffic accident occurs on a highway outside Riyadh, paramedics find injured children and adults. This article reflects the principle that the child has priority in enjoying protection, care and relief in all circumstances.
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 5 of the Saudi Child Protection Law
What does the child's priority in protection mean?
The article means that the child has priority in enjoying protection, care and relief in all circumstances.
Is the priority limited to certain situations?
No. The text says "in all circumstances" without any restriction.
More articles on Child Rights and Alternative Care
- Article 6
The article provides the child's right to protection from all forms of abuse or neglect.
للطفل الحق في الحماية من كل أشكال الإيذاء أو الإهمال.
- Article 7
The article gives a child who lacks a suitable family environment the right to alternative care through a foster family, or social care institutions if no family is available.
للطفل الذي لا تتوافر له بيئة عائلية مناسبة، قد يتعرض فيها للإيذاء أو الإهمال؛ الحق في الرعاية البديلة من خلال ما يأتي: 1 - الأسرة الحاضنة التي تتولى كفالته ورعا
- Article 15Amended by M/72
The article makes the parents or whoever cares for the child responsible for the child's upbringing and protection within their capabilities, guarantees visitation rights on separation, and gives the mother the right to custody unless a court judgment provides otherwise.
1- يعد والدا الطفل - أو أحدهما ، أو من يقوم على رعايته - مسؤولين في حدود إمكاناتهما المالية وقدراتهما عن تربيته وضمان حقوقه، والعمل على توفير الرعاية له، وحمايت
- Article 16
The article requires all authorities to take the child's interest into account and expedite procedures concerning the child, and to consider the child's mental, psychological, physical, upbringing and educational needs.
على جميع الجهات مراعاة مصلحة الطفل في جميع الإجراءات التي تتخذ في شأنه والإسراع في إنجازها، ومراعاة حاجاته العقلية، والنفسية، والجسدية، والتربوية، والتعليمية، ب
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.