What are the abortion policies in Saudi Arabia?
Induced abortion is generally illegal in Saudi Arabia under non-codified principles of Islamic law. A person who performs an illegal abortion is subject to the payment of blood money to the relatives of the aborted foetus. However, under article 24 of the Rules of Implementation for Regulations of the Practice of Medicine and Dentistry, Ministerial Resolution No. 218/17/L of 26 June 1989, an abortion may be performed to save the pregnant woman’s life, and if the pregnancy is less than four months old and it is proven beyond doubt that continued pregnancy gravely endangers the mother’s health. Written consent of the patient and her husband or guardian is required. Article 24 is based on Resolution No. 140 by the Committee of Senior Ulema, which is reproduced in the above Rules and provides that a pregnancy cannot be aborted at any stage except when legally (according to Islamic Laws) justified and within very narrow limitations. Resolution No. 140 refers to three stages of pregnancy. Wi
