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SAU-1992-C-29404
Breadcrumb
Title_of_text
Royal Order No.A/90, of 1 March 1992, to promulgate the Constitution.
Main Region
First Region
Country(ies)
Saudi Arabia
Subjects (Classification)
Constitutional law
Adopted on (Date of text)
1992-03-01
Scope of text
National
Type of legislation (Type of text)
Constitution
Second Region
Abstract/Citation
This so-called "basic system of government" is in effect Saudi Arabia's first constitution. It codifies (Art. 56) the King's power: he acts as prime minister and appoints deputy prime ministers and cabinet ministers. The King may now choose his Crown Prince from among a broader pool of relatives than before. He may also remove the Crown Prince. Some fundamental rights are expressly guaranteed for the first time. Private property cannot be expropriated, "except in the public interest" and in return for "fair compensation". Various provisions protect privacy, notably in correspondance and telecommunications. Private homes cannot be entered or searched "except in accordance with the Constitution". Article 28 of the Constitution stipulates that "the State shall assist all able persons in finding employment and shall make regulations to protect workers and employers". The State also undertakes to protect the rights of its "citizens and their families in case of emergency, sickness, disability or old age, and to support the social security system". Under article 43, anyone may "address the public authorities on any matter". Article 39 says that "the mass media, publications and all other means of expression shall observe the requirements of decency and the regulations of the State". Citizens and residents can institute legal proceedings, on an equal basis. Articles 7 and 8 uphold the Holy Qur'an, the Sunnah and the Islamic Sharia as the basis of law. The System of the Majlis al-Shoura establishes a Consultative Council (Shoura Council). The Provincial system regulates the governing of Provinces and Article 16 provides for a Province Council. An English translation of this Constitution may be found in the April 1992 edition of the Middle East Executive Reports, as well as in Vol. 8, Part 3 of the 1993 Arab Law Quarterly.
Implementing Text region
Implementing text(s)
1992-03-01 (SAU-1992-R-29405)
Royal Order No.A/91, of 1 March 1992, to promulgate the Constitution of the Consultative Council
Implementing text(s)
1992-03-01 (SAU-1992-R-29406)
Royal Order No.A/92, of 1 March 1992, to promulgate the System of Provincial Administration
Electronic region
Electronic source title
Constitution (in English)
Publisher
University of Bern
Country
Switzerland
URL
http://www.oefre.unibe.ch/law/icl/sa00000_.html
Electronic source title
Constitution (in English)
Author
Refworld
Publisher
UNHCR
URL
http://www.unhcr.org/refworld/country,LEGAL,,LEGISLATION,SAU,,3ae6b5a44,0.html
File
SAU29404.pdf (PDF)
Monograph region
Monograph title
Constitutions of the Countries of the World
Publisher
Oxford University Press
Place of publication
New York
Country
United States of America
Date
2011-06
Serial region
Serial title
Umm Al-Qura
Date
1992-03-06
Volume
Vol. 69
Number
No. 3397
Page range
pp. 1-3