Saudi Arabia Pioneers New Directorate in the Fight Against Human Trafficking and for Personal Rights

05 February 2025

Josleen Deeb

In a significant move to enhance the protection of personal rights and combat human trafficking, Saudi Arabia has established a new General Directorate for Community Security and Combating Human Trafficking Crimes.

Riyadh: This initiative, announced by the Ministry of Interior under the directives of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, aims to strengthen the Kingdom's security system and uphold fundamental freedoms guaranteed by Sharia law and the Kingdom's legal framework.

Establishment of the General Directorate

The newly established General Directorate will operate under the General Directorate of Public Security. Its primary mandate includes eradicating crimes that violate personal rights, dismantling criminal networks, and coordinating with local and international authorities to achieve these objectives. This move is part of Saudi Arabia's broader efforts to enhance the efficiency of its security system and focus on crime prevention.

Key Responsibilities

The General Directorate's responsibilities encompass a wide range of activities aimed at combating human trafficking and protecting personal rights

·        Eradicating Human Trafficking: The Directorate will focus on identifying and dismantling human trafficking networks, ensuring that perpetrators are brought to justice.

·        Protecting Personal Rights: It will work to safeguard individuals' fundamental freedoms and dignity, addressing crimes that infringe upon these rights.

·        Strengthening Societal Security: By enhancing community security, the Directorate aims to create a safer environment for all residents of the Kingdom.

·        International Coordination: The Directorate will collaborate with international organizations and authorities to combat human trafficking on a global scale.

Legal Framework

Saudi Arabia's commitment to combating human trafficking is supported by a robust legal framework. The Kingdom has enacted several laws and regulations to address this issue, including:

·        Anti-Trafficking in Persons Law (2009): This law criminalizes all forms of human trafficking and imposes severe penalties on offenders.

·        Labor Law Reforms: Recent reforms to the labor law aim to protect the rights of migrant workers and prevent exploitation.

·        National Referral Mechanism (NRM): The NRM outlines best practices for handling cases of trafficking in persons and ensures that victims receive appropriate care and protection.

Statistics and Impact

According to the 2023 Trafficking in Persons Report by the U.S. Department of State, Saudi Arabia is ranked as a Tier 2 country, indicating that the government does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking but is making significant efforts to do so. The report highlights the Kingdom's progress in investigating, prosecuting, and convicting traffickers, as well as increasing training on screening protocols to improve victim identification.

The establishment of the new General Directorate is expected to further enhance these efforts, providing a centralized and coordinated approach to combating human trafficking and protecting personal rights. With an estimated 13 million foreign workers in Saudi Arabia, this initiative stands to dramatically improve protection measures for a significant number of people.

In Conclusion

The launch of the General Directorate for Community Security and Combating Human Trafficking Crimes marks a significant step forward in Saudi Arabia's efforts to protect personal rights and combat human trafficking. By strengthening its legal framework, enhancing international cooperation, and focusing on crime prevention, the Kingdom is demonstrating its commitment to creating a safer and more secure environment for all its residents.

ALKETBI TOUCH

Our team of professionals will keep you updated about the latest legal reforms and news. Feel Free to reach out if you need any assistance in Saudi Arabia!