Saudi Gazette Report

RIYADH — Saudi Arabia on Monday signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the US State Department’s Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons to enhance technical cooperation in the field.

The MoU was co-signed by President of the Saudi Human Rights Commission (HRC) Dr. Bandar Bin Mohammed Al-Aiban and Ambassador-at-Large John Cotton Richmond.

Before the signing of the agreement, a meeting was held between the two sides during which Dr. Al-Aiban reviewed the Kingdom’s efforts in combating human trafficking, including the establishment of 107 departments by the Public Prosecution to investigate human trafficking cases.

Al-Aiban praised the constructive cooperation with the US side, and stressed the Kingdom’s keenness and continuous efforts to expand international cooperation in combating human trafficking crimes.

He pointed out that the MoU confirms that the Kingdom has been moving forward in consolidating the protection and preservation of human rights in general and in the field of combating trafficking in persons in particular.

The Human Rights Commission said the MoU included the implementation of joint activities, programs and projects, in accordance with the Saudi law and international obligations, and in coordination between the commission and the relevant governmental bodies.

The MoU also aims to strengthen national capacities by providing expertise and technical consultations in the field of combating human trafficking crimes and developing the capabilities of the employees.

The MoU calls for exchange of technical and administrative expertise in relation to providing shelters to victims of trafficking crimes and to establishing mechanisms to protect and assist victims, as well as mechanisms for receiving complaints.