By Rehan Khan
ISLAMABAD, July 31 (APP): Saudi Arabia is intensifying its battle against human trafficking through sweeping reforms and new initiatives for protecting victims and holding perpetrators accountable, a top rights official announced on Thursday.
President of the Human Rights Commission and Chair of the Saudi National Committee to Combat Human Trafficking, Hala bint Mazyad Altuwaijri underscored the Kingdom’s commitment to human rights under the leadership of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and with the firm backing of Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman.
A major development in this regard, she revealed, is the establishment of the General Directorate for Community Security and Combating Human Trafficking Crimes, launched under the directive of the crown prince. Operating within the General Directorate of Public Security, the body is tasked with combating trafficking-related crimes and ensuring public safety.
Altuwaijri highlighted that Saudi Arabia has bolstered its legal and institutional frameworks by adopting a National Policy for the Elimination of Forced Labor, alongside revising several laws, regulations, and protective measures. These reforms are designed to safeguard labor rights and offer protections for victims, witnesses, whistleblowers, and experts involved in trafficking cases.
To ensure a long-term impact, the National Committee is actively executing its national action plan, developing a national referral mechanism for victims, and creating a comprehensive database of trafficking cases. It has also issued official trafficking indicators guidelines to help authorities identify and respond to incidents more effectively.
Emphasizing the need for multilateral collaboration, Altuwaijri announced the launch of a joint fund in partnership with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) to support trafficking victims. She stressed that forging strong national, regional, and international partnerships is essential to both prevent and combat human trafficking in all its forms.
The Kingdom’s latest efforts signal a growing momentum toward not just reforming internal policies but also becoming an active player in the global fight against human exploitation.