Article 11 of the Saudi Civil Defense Law
المادة 11 من نظام الدفاع المدني
The article provides that the Civil Defense Council exercises its powers in war and emergencies under the supervision of the Supreme Defense Council.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
يمارس مجلس الدفاع المدني صلاحياته في حالة الحرب والطوارئ تحت إشراف مجلس الدفاع الأعلى .
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 11 explained in plain English
This article sets a special rule on the Civil Defense Council exercising its powers in two exceptional circumstances: a state of war and a state of emergency.
In these two circumstances the Council continues to exercise its powers, but does so under the supervision of the Supreme Defense Council. In practice this means:
- The Council does not lose its powers in war and emergencies but continues to perform them.
- Its work in these cases is subject to the supervision of a higher body, the Supreme Defense Council.
The article does not explain how this supervision is exercised or by what means, and does not define a state of emergency, so details the text does not contain should not be inferred.
In the context of the neighboring articles:
- Article 10 allows the Council chairman to invite whomever he sees fit to attend its sessions without a right to vote.
- Article 12 sets the powers of the Minister of Interior, chairman of the Civil Defense Council, subject to what other laws provide, including coordinating the relationship among the Ministry of Interior, the Ministry of Defense, the Ministry of the National Guard and the General Intelligence Presidency to ensure civil defense work is carried out, and ordering tests and drills to verify the readiness of civil defense means.
The Law thus ties civil defense work to the defense and security bodies, and this article puts the Council in times of war and emergency under the supervision of the Supreme Defense Council. It is an organizational article that creates no direct obligations on individuals.
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 11 of the Saudi Civil Defense Law
Who supervises the Civil Defense Council in a state of war?
The Civil Defense Council exercises its powers in war and emergencies under the supervision of the Supreme Defense Council.
Does the Civil Defense Council's work stop in emergencies?
No. The article provides that it exercises its powers in these cases, but under the supervision of the Supreme Defense Council.
More articles on Civil Defense Council
- Article 4
The article sets the components of the civil defense apparatus: the Civil Defense Council, the General Directorate of Civil Defense, and the civil defense committees.
يتألف جهاز الدفاع المدني ، مما يلي: - مجلس الدفاع المدني . - المديرية العامة للدفاع المدني . - لجان الدفاع المدني .
- Article 5
The article sets the composition of the Civil Defense Council, chaired by the Minister of Interior, with a number of ministers, heads of government bodies and the Director General of Civil Defense as members.
يكون تشكيل مجلس الدفاع المدني على النحو الآتي: أ - وزير الداخلية رئيساً ب - وزير الحرس الوطني – أو من ينيبه - عضواً ج - رئيس هيئة الهلال الأحمر السعودي – أو من
- Article 6
The article regulates the Civil Defense Council's meetings and quorum: it meets at least twice a year, and decisions are taken by a majority of those present, with the chairman's side prevailing in a tie.
يجتمع مجلس الدفاع المدني برئاسة رئيسه – أو من ينيبه – مرتين في السنة على الأقل، وكلما دعت الحاجة إلى ذلك، ويكون اجتماع المجلس نظاميًّا بحضور أغلبية أعضائه، وفي
- Article 7
The article creates the General Committee for Civil Defense Work and names its members, and regulates the Council's budget, general secretariat, National Search and Rescue Team and the secretariat's units.
أ - تُشكل لجنة عامة لأعمال الدفاع المدني، ترتبط تنظيميًّا برئيس مجلس الدفاع المدني، وذلك على النحو الآتي: 1 – مدير عام الدفاع المدني رئيساً 2 – ممثل لوزارة الح
- Article 8
The article requires the Civil Defense Council, when considering a matter concerning a government body not represented in it or in the General Committee, to obtain that body's opinion, then issue its decision and inform it.
إذا بحث مجلس الدفاع المدني أمراً يدخل في اختصاص جهة أو جهات حكومية غير ممثلة فيه أو في اللجنة العامة لأعمال الدفاع المدني؛ فعلى المجلس أخذ رأي هذه الجهة أو الجه
- Article 9
The article sets the powers of the Civil Defense Council, the General Committee for Civil Defense Work and the Council's secretariat, from approving policies and regulations to following up disasters, reports and budgets.
أ - مع مراعاة ما تقضي به الأنظمة، يختص مجلس الدفاع المدني بما يأتي: 1 - إقرار السياسة العامة لأعمال الدفاع المدني. 2 - اعتماد الخطط العامة لأعمال الدفاع المدني.
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.