The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia reaffirmed that its laws and regulations are concerned with child protection and combating all forms of child abuse, including neglect, discrimination, and exploitation.
It also confirmed its commitment to providing a safe and sound environment for children to develop their skills and abilities and protect them both psychologically and physically.
This came during the Kingdom’s speech delivered by Reem bint Fahd Al-Omair, 3rd Secretary and Member of the Kingdom’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations in the general debate on the rights of the child within the work of the Social, Humanitarian and Cultural Committee during the 74th session of the UN General Assembly.
The Kingdom also explained that its regulations regarding child protection work on ensuring the protection of children from all forms of violence and contribute to the implementation of obligations under the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, to which the Kingdom acceded in 1996.
Omair also pointed to a law protecting children from all sorts of violations, harm, and exploitation, underscoring the importance her country attaches to human rights. She recalled cases of exploitation and discrimination against children and called for necessary measures to combat these violations.
Saudi Arabia has launched a number of initiatives, notably a mechanism to raise awareness about the negative effects of child neglect, a hotline to provide children with support, and a rehabilitation program.
Omair reiterated Saudi Arabia’s commitment to help children from Syria and Yemen and provide them with free education, health care, and vaccinations, also pointing to its support for UNICEF efforts to combat cholera in Yemen.