Article 7 of the Saudi Protection of Whistleblowers, Witnesses, Experts and Victims Law
المادة 7 من نظام حماية المبلغين والشهود والخبراء والضحايا
The article requires a reasoned request from the whistleblower, witness, expert or victim, plus a recommendation from a supervisory, law-enforcement, evidence-gathering or investigating body or the court, before admission to the program.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
لا يقبل المبلِّغ أو الشاهد أو الخبير أو الضحية في البرنامج ما لم يُبنَ القبول على ما يأتي:
1- طلب مُسبب من أي منهم بتوفير الحماية.
2- توصية من الجهة الرقابية أو من جهة الضبط أو من جهة الاستدلال أو من جهة التحقيق أو من المحكمة بناءً على المعلومات المتوافرة حول مسوغات توفير الحماية.
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 7 explained in plain English
This article sets the basis on which a person is admitted to the protection program. It provides that a whistleblower, witness, expert or victim is not admitted to the program unless admission rests on two things:
- A reasoned request from any of them for protection, meaning a request that explains why protection is needed.
- A recommendation from one of the following: the supervisory body, the law-enforcement body, the evidence-gathering body, the investigating body, or the court. The recommendation is based on the information available about the grounds for providing protection.
The wording "is not admitted... unless" means that admission cannot take place without both bases together; the request alone is not enough, and the recommendation alone is not enough.
This is the usual route to admission. Article 8 deals with a different situation, imminent danger: where there is reason to believe a whistleblower, witness, expert or victim may be exposed to imminent danger, it allows the Attorney General to provide protection without that person's consent for no more than 30 days, and to extend that period where necessary.
The article is also linked to Article 6, on requests from competent foreign authorities, which the Attorney General may approve on the recommendation of the program administration and on the basis of reciprocity. Anyone who needs help preparing a protection request and stating its grounds can consult a lawyer who specializes in criminal cases.
Practical example
Noura was threatened after testifying in a serious crime in Makkah. To be admitted to the program, she submits a request explaining why she needs protection. In addition, the investigating body, the court or another listed body must recommend her protection, based on the information it has.
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 7 of the Saudi Protection of Whistleblowers, Witnesses, Experts and Victims Law
How do I request protection as a witness?
To be admitted to the program you must submit a reasoned request for protection, together with a recommendation from a supervisory, law-enforcement, evidence-gathering or investigating body or from the court.
Is my request alone enough to be admitted to the protection program?
No. The text requires admission to rest on the reasoned request and on a recommendation from one of the listed bodies.
More articles on Requesting and Accepting Protection
- Article 5
Gives the program administration, by its decision and under the Law, the power to accept whistleblowers, witnesses, experts and victims into the program and to determine the type and duration of protection.
لإدارة البرنامج بقرار منها -وفقاً لأحكام النظام- صلاحية قبول المبلِّغين والشهود والخبراء والضحايا في البرنامج وتحديد نوع الحماية المقدم لهم ومدته.
- Article 6
Allows the Public Prosecutor, on the program administration's recommendation and on reciprocity, to approve foreign authorities' requests to protect a whistleblower, witness, expert or victim in the Kingdom.
للنائب العام -بناء على توصية من إدارة البرنامج ووفقاً لمبدأ المعاملة بالمثل- الموافقة على طلبات السلطات الأجنبية المختصة التي تتلقاها اللجنة الدائمة لطلبات المس
- Article 8
The article allows the Attorney General to provide protection without consent, for no more than 30 days and extendable, to a person believed to face imminent danger, and to delegate some powers.
يجوز للنائب العام في حال توفر ما يبعث على الاعتقاد بإمكان تعرّض المبلِّغ أو الشاهد أو الخبير أو الضحية لخطر وشيك، توفير الحماية له دون موافقته، لمدة لا تزيد على
- Article 9
The article provides that the protection request goes to the program administration, which considers factors such as criminal history, the nature of the danger, the seriousness of the crime and alternative solutions.
يُقدم طلب الحماية إلى إدارة البرنامج، وعليها عند دراسته النظر في العوامل الآتية: 1- مدى مناسبة إدراج الشخص المطلوب حمايته في البرنامج، بما في ذلك التاريخ الجنائ
- Article 10
The article requires the program administration to notify the requester and the person of approval or a written, reasoned rejection within 3 days, and allows a complaint to the Attorney General within 10 days, with a final decision.
في حال الموافقة على طلب الحماية، تحدد إدارة البرنامج إجراءات وآليات الحماية اللازمة ومدتها، وتشعر الجهة المقدمة للطلب والشخص المطلوب حمايته بالموافقة خلال (ثلاث
- Article 11
The article requires the program administration, on approving protection, to set the protected person's obligations, including compliance with protection measures, providing information, cooperation and avoiding harmful activities.
في حال الموافقة على طلب الحماية، تحدد إدارة البرنامج الالتزامات التي على المشمول بالحماية الوفاء بها، على أن تتضمن ما يأتي: 1- إجراءات الالتزام بأنواع الحماية ا
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.