US State Department Upgrades Saudi Arabia's Ranking In Trafficking in Persons Report

 General view of Riyadh city, after the Saudi government eased a curfew, following the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, May 7, 2020. REUTERS/Ahmed Yosri
General view of Riyadh city, after the Saudi government eased a curfew, following the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, May 7, 2020. REUTERS/Ahmed Yosri
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US State Department Upgrades Saudi Arabia's Ranking In Trafficking in Persons Report

 General view of Riyadh city, after the Saudi government eased a curfew, following the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, May 7, 2020. REUTERS/Ahmed Yosri
General view of Riyadh city, after the Saudi government eased a curfew, following the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, May 7, 2020. REUTERS/Ahmed Yosri

For the second year in a row, Saudi Arabia saw an upgrade in its classification in the Anti-Trafficking in Persons index, according to the annual report issued by the US State Department.

According to the report, which was published on Thursday, Saudi Arabia was upgraded from a ranking of “Tier 2 Watch List” to “Tier 2.”

This reflects the Kingdom’s continued progress in protecting and promoting human rights in general, and in the field of combating trafficking in persons in particular.

Dr. Awad Al-Awwad, head of the Human Rights Commission and the Committee for Combating Trafficking in Persons in Saudi Arabia, stressed that the Kingdom’s classification upgrade came as a result of the major reforms adopted by the Kingdom under the leadership of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz and Prince Mohammad bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Crown Prince, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense.

“We are honored by the recognition we have received for our efforts to combat trafficking over the past two years. Under Vision 2030, the Kingdom is committed to improving the quality of life not just for some — but for all. Today’s achievement is a testament to the Kingdom’s commitment to realizing this vision,” he stated.

He also pointed to the great interest the Kingdom attaches to combating human trafficking crimes through an integrated system, a dedicated strategy, and the signing of the relevant international conventions and protocols.

The head of the Human Rights Commission in Saudi Arabia stressed that this strategy contributed to building a comprehensive system that ensures the protection of all people from human trafficking crimes without discrimination and assistance and compensation to the victims.



Saudi Arabia Condemns Attacks on Sudanese IDP Camps

Saudi Arabia Condemns Attacks on Sudanese IDP Camps
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Saudi Arabia Condemns Attacks on Sudanese IDP Camps

Saudi Arabia Condemns Attacks on Sudanese IDP Camps

The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's condemnation of the recent attacks on internally displaced persons (IDP) camps near El Fasher (Zamzam and Abu Shouk) in western Sudan, which resulted in deaths and injuries and constitute a clear violation of international law and international humanitarian law.
In a statement, the ministry reiterated the Kingdom's firm rejection of such violations and stressed the urgent need to protect relief and humanitarian personnel, SPA reported.

It underscored the importance of an immediate cessation of hostilities, the avoidance of targeting civilians, and the full implementation of the Jeddah Declaration of Commitment to Protect the Civilians of Sudan, signed on May 11, 2023.
The ministry conveyed its deepest condolences to the families of the victims and extended its wishes for a swift recovery to those injured.