HRC President Praises Saudi Arabia’s Success in Combating Human Trafficking

HRC President Praises Saudi Arabia’s Success in Combating Human Trafficking
TT

HRC President Praises Saudi Arabia’s Success in Combating Human Trafficking

HRC President Praises Saudi Arabia’s Success in Combating Human Trafficking

President of the Saudi Human Rights Commission (HRC) and Chairman of the National Committee to Combat Trafficking in Persons Dr. Awad Al-Awwad praised the Kingdom’s successes internationally in combating human trafficking crimes.

In a press statement on the occasion of the World Day Against Trafficking in Persons on Friday, Al-Awwad said the Kingdom's progress in the classifications and indicators of combating trafficking in persons internationally is a tangible translation of the keenness of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, to ensure the highest standards of protection of human rights in the Kingdom.

He said they are also keen to create a safe environment for decent living to achieve Saudi Vision 2030's objectives.

He stressed that the Kingdom has given great attention to combating trafficking in persons and has put in place strict laws that curb these crimes, prosecute and convict perpetrators, issue strict sentences against them, and provide assistance and care to the victims.

Al-Awwad underlined that the Saudi government has signed several memoranda of cooperation with relevant international organizations and bodies, and has adopted appropriate mechanisms to achieve the highest levels of coordination and cooperation locally between the Human Rights Commission, government agencies and civil society institutions.

This includes the launch of the National Action Plan to combat trafficking in persons, the National Referral Mechanism (NRM) for cases of trafficking in persons, and taking necessary national measures.

Al-Awwad stressed that the Kingdom does not tolerate trafficking in persons, and will move firmly to reach the best levels in combating this crime, and holding accountable and deterring its perpetrators.



Kuwait Jails 13 Citizens, Fines them $87 Mn for Hezbollah Funding

A general view of the Kuwait Palace of Justice in Kuwait City, June 16, 2013. (Reuters)
A general view of the Kuwait Palace of Justice in Kuwait City, June 16, 2013. (Reuters)
TT

Kuwait Jails 13 Citizens, Fines them $87 Mn for Hezbollah Funding

A general view of the Kuwait Palace of Justice in Kuwait City, June 16, 2013. (Reuters)
A general view of the Kuwait Palace of Justice in Kuwait City, June 16, 2013. (Reuters)

Kuwait’s Court of Cassation on Monday sentenced 13 citizens to three years in prison for raising funds through a charity to support Lebanon’s Hezbollah.

The court also fined them 27 million Kuwaiti dinars ($87 million), overturning a previous acquittal by a lower court.

The court that issued the sentencing was presided over by Judge Abdullah Jassim Al-Abdullah.

Initially, the Criminal Court had acquitted the defendants, citing the absence of legislation explicitly criminalizing unlicensed fundraising for public purposes since the establishment of Kuwait's Social Affairs Department on December 14, 1954.

The court said this legal gap limited its authority under Article 132 of the Code of Criminal Procedures and Trials. However, the decision was reversed by the higher court.

The defendants had been interrogated in November 2021 over alleged financial support to organizations linked to Hezbollah.

At the time, the Public Prosecution ordered their detention, and security authorities conducted extensive investigations into financial transfers suspected of funding such groups in Lebanon.

The case dates back to November 2021. The charges included significant financial transfers made over several years to foreign entities, including in Lebanon, prompting authorities to scrutinize transaction records.

The defendants denied the charges, claiming they had worked with a charity committee for 30 years, primarily sponsoring orphans in Lebanon and other countries.

In March 2024, the Court of Cassation classified Hezbollah as a banned terrorist group, describing it as an armed organization working to undermine Kuwait’s system and spread Iran’s revolutionary ideology.

The ruling officially confirmed Hezbollah’s designation as a terrorist entity under Kuwaiti law.