Al-Watan Arabic daily (here translated by Arab News), runs this story on the lack of comprehensive laws to protect children in Saudi Arabia. The problem, the author notes, is that there is no clear and single delineation of when childhood ends and adulthood begins. The author says that it is only through Shariah courts that Saudi society will find an agreed upon age under which children will receive the enhanced protection they need.

This is true, to a large extent, but not perfectly. To take the US as an example, young people are considered adult at different ages for different purposes. Generally, one may not enter into a binding contract until one is 18 years old. But in some American states, a woman may marry at 16. The legal age at which one can consume alcohol is 21. A driver’s license can be had as early as 15 in some jurisdictions. The age at which one can join the military is 18, with some exceptions to permit 17-year-olds. With exceptions, one who violates the law while under 18 is handled in juvenile courts. So, one age may not be appropriate for all social activities.

In the case of marriage, though, Saudi Arabia must come up with a clear age line. The author points out that the case of the Prophet’s marriage to Aisha should not be taken as authorization for child marriage. The Prophet was unique in many ways and some of the things he did—such as have nine wives—are not available to the common man. His marriage to Aisha should be considered the same way.

We have no law to protect children
Saud Al-Balawi | Al-Watan, skab@alwatan.com.sa

The case of Raziah, a young Afghan girl living in the Kingdom, is vividly in our minds. The poor girl was kidnapped by an Egyptian resident in Madinah who molested her and violated her innocence. For four years, he sexually abused her although she was no more than 10. The man was caught by the security forces in Madinah and is now awaiting trial.

Although the case is one that involves a clear violation of children’s rights, it is not being considered under a special law protecting children. Rather, it is being looked at like any other crime. The criminal might be beheaded if he is convicted but this will not negate the Saudi need for special legislation to protect children against all crimes, the foremost of which is allowing very young girls to marry.
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