Article 4 of the Saudi Organ Donation Law

المادة 4 من نظام التبرع بالأعضاء البشرية

The article gives a donor before removal, a person who bequeathed before death, and one who agreed to the transfer of a deceased relative's organs the right to withdraw from the donation without any restriction or condition.

Official text (Arabic)

This article has not been amended since the law was issued.

يجوز لكل من المتبرع قبل إجراء عملية استئصال عضوه البشري المتبرع به، والموصي المتبرع قبل وفاته؛ العدول عن التبرع دون أي قيد أو شرط، ويسري هذا الحكم على من صدرت منه الموافقة وفقاً للمادة (الثالثة) من النظام.

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 4 explained in plain English

This article protects freedom of decision in donation. It provides that consent to donate is not finally binding and may be withdrawn without any restriction or condition, meaning without having to give a reason or bear any cost. But each case has its own time limit:

A living donor: may withdraw before the operation to remove the donated organ is performed.
A person who bequeathed a donation: may withdraw from the bequest before his death.
A person who gave consent under Article 3: that is, the heir or relative who agreed to the transfer of the deceased's organs, is subject to the same rule and may withdraw his consent.

The idea is that donation is a voluntary act based on free consent, so a person who changes his mind may not be forced to go ahead. This article also fits with what Article 5 requires, that the donor be informed of all the possible consequences of the removal operation before it is performed, so that his decision is an informed one.

The text does not specify the form of withdrawal. If a person needs to know the practical procedure for recording his withdrawal, he should consult the Center or what the regulations provide.

Practical example

Saad agreed to donate one of his kidneys to his cousin, and tests were carried out in a hospital in Dammam. A few days before the operation he changed his mind. He is entitled to do so without any restriction or condition as long as the removal operation has not yet been performed.

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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