CRC/C/SAU/CO/3-4
United Nations
Convention on the
Rights of the Child
Distr.: General
25 October 2016
Original: English
Committee on the Rights of the Child
Concluding observations on the combined third and fourth
periodic reports of Saudi Arabia*
I. Introduction
1.
The Committee considered the combined third and fourth periodic reports of Saudi
Arabia (CRC/C/SAU/3-4) at its 2144th and 2145th meetings (see CRC/C/SR.2144 and
2145), held on 20 and 21 September 2016, and adopted the present concluding observations
at its 2160th meeting, held on 30 September 2016.
2.
The Committee welcomes the submission of the combined third and fourth periodic
reports of the State party and the written replies to the list of issues (CRC/C/SAU/Q/34/Add.1), which allowed for a better understanding of the situation of children’s rights in
the State party. The Committee expresses appreciation for the constructive dialogue held
with the high-level multisectoral delegation of the State party.
II. Follow-up measures taken and progress achieved by the State
party
3.
The Committee welcomes the progress made by the State party in implementing the
Convention and notes as positive the newly ratified international human rights treaties,
especially the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the sale of children, child prostitution
and child pornography, in August 2010, and the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the
involvement of children in armed conflict, in June 2011.
4.
The Committee notes the various legislative, institutional and policy measures
adopted to implement the Convention, especially the adoption of the Child Protection Act
and the Protection from Abuse Act, as well as their implementing regulations, in 2014; the
adoption of the National Childhood Strategy in 2012; the establishment by Royal Decree
No. M/40 of 14 July 2009 of a committee to combat trafficking in persons; and the setting
up of a helpline for children by the National Family Safety Programme in November 2010.
The Committee also welcomes the regulation adopted in April 2016 curtailing the powers
of the Committee for the Promotion of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice to arrest people,
* Adopted by the Committee at its seventy-third session (13-30 September 2016).
GE.16-18450(E)