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Saudi HRC Head: Reforms Have Protected Workers, Improved Working Environment

Saudi HRC Head: Reforms Have Protected Workers, Improved Working Environment
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Saudi HRC Head: Reforms Have Protected Workers, Improved Working Environment

Saudi HRC Head: Reforms Have Protected Workers, Improved Working Environment

The remarkable progress made by Saudi Arabia in combating human trafficking comes against the backdrop of significant reforms adopted by the Kingdom, said the head of the Saudi Human Rights Commission (HRC), Awad Al-Awwad.

In an interview with Asharq Al-Awsat, Al-Awwad said that reforms were reflected in developing the legal and institutional structure that enhances the work environment and protects employment.

“Saudi Arabia has been keen to accede to the conventions and protocols dealing with crimes of human trafficking,” noted Al-Awwad, adding that the Kingdom has joined the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime and the supplementing Protocol against the Smuggling of Migrants by Land, Sea, and Air.

“The Kingdom also actively participates in regional and international efforts,” said Al-Awwad, citing Saudi Arabia’s contribution to the issuance of the Arab strategy to combat crimes of human trafficking as well as the Gulf guiding law fighting the illicit practice.

Al-Awwad said that human trafficking is a form of “organized crime that crosses borders,” which makes international efforts to combat it an absolute necessity.

“The exchange of experiences through scientific conferences and forums contributes to strengthening national efforts, and raises the efficiency of control agencies, as it enhances the exchange of information, gaining experiences, and knowing the best international professional practices,” stressed Al-Awwad.

Al-Awwad also underlined the Kingdom’s keenness to partake in and organize conferences and forums on human trafficking.

Saudi Arabia is also keen to strengthen its cooperation with countries and organizations to reach a mature mechanism of these partnerships and forums.

“We look forward that the forum sessions will contribute to arriving at innovative and creative recommendations to strengthen the fight against human trafficking in the Middle East,” said Al-Awwad.

The third government forum to discuss the challenges of combating human trafficking crimes in the Middle East 2021 concluded on Tuesday with its activities hosted by Saudi Arabia.

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Gulf

Saudi Civil Aviation Authority: Three People Injured in Attacks on Jazan and Najran Airports

Saudi Civil Aviation Authority: Three People Injured in Attacks on Jazan and Najran Airports
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Saudi Civil Aviation Authority: Three People Injured in Attacks on Jazan and Najran Airports

Saudi Civil Aviation Authority: Three People Injured in Attacks on Jazan and Najran Airports

Saudi Arabia’s General Authority of Civil Aviation said King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Jazan and Najran International Airport came under attack on Monday evening, adding that emergency teams and relevant authorities began responding immediately in line with approved procedures and plans.

The authority said the attacks slightly injured three people and caused material damage. The injured were taken to hospital for medical treatment, it added.

GACA said it was continuing to coordinate with relevant security agencies to assess the damage and take all necessary measures to ensure the safety of passengers and staff and maintain the security and safety of the Kingdom's civil aviation system.

GCC Secretary-General Jassem Mohamed Albudaiwi condemned the attacks on Saudi airports, calling them a serious escalation and violation of international law. He urged the international community to hold those responsible accountable and reaffirmed the GCC’s support for Saudi Arabia’s security measures.

Gulf

GCC Reaffirms Support for Efforts to Achieve Security and Stability in Yemen

Jassem Albudaiwi, Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council, and Dr. Afrah al-Zouba, Yemen’s Foreign Minister. (GCC)
Jassem Albudaiwi, Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council, and Dr. Afrah al-Zouba, Yemen’s Foreign Minister. (GCC)
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GCC Reaffirms Support for Efforts to Achieve Security and Stability in Yemen

Jassem Albudaiwi, Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council, and Dr. Afrah al-Zouba, Yemen’s Foreign Minister. (GCC)
Jassem Albudaiwi, Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council, and Dr. Afrah al-Zouba, Yemen’s Foreign Minister. (GCC)

The Gulf Cooperation Council on Monday reaffirmed its support for Yemen’s security, stability, sovereignty and territorial integrity, and backed efforts to promote peace and prosperity.

The GCC statement came during a phone call between Secretary-General Jassem Albudaiwi and Yemeni Foreign Minister Afrah al-Zouba. The two officials discussed the latest developments in Yemen amid the country’s current circumstances and rapidly unfolding events in the region.

Albudaiwi reiterated that Yemen’s security and stability are of fundamental importance to the security and stability of GCC states and the wider region. He said the council would continue to stand with Yemen and its people and support all efforts to promote security, stability, peace, dignified living and prosperity.

Gulf

Trump Administration Backs Saudi Arabia’s Right to Defend Itself against Houthis

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio speaks to the press before boarding a plane en route to Iceland at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, on October 5, 2026. (AFP)
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio speaks to the press before boarding a plane en route to Iceland at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, on October 5, 2026. (AFP)
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Trump Administration Backs Saudi Arabia’s Right to Defend Itself against Houthis

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio speaks to the press before boarding a plane en route to Iceland at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, on October 5, 2026. (AFP)
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio speaks to the press before boarding a plane en route to Iceland at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, on October 5, 2026. (AFP)

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stressed on Monday that Washington understands the steps taken by the Saudi-led Arab coalition against the terrorist Houthi militia in Yemen.

The Trump administration is determined to meet its bilateral security commitments with the Kingdom in confronting threats from the Iran-backed group.

“The United States has a defense and security agreement with Saudi Arabia and we intend to live by it. I won’t discuss details further than that,” Rubio told a press conference before departing on a European trip that includes Iceland, Greece and Portugal.

“As far as our view of it, well, I think it’s – the Saudis and Yemeni forces clearly are not in favor of the Houthis controlling that territory close to the – to the [Bab al-Mandeb] strait there,” he added.

“It is territory that was gained as a result of a Houthi offensive, and this is the counter to it. We expected that would happen and that’s what’s happening,” he remarked.

“So obviously the Saudis have come under Houthi attack and see the threat that that poses, and they have a right to defend themselves. And obviously the Yemeni forces are going to try to retake territory that they were ousted from,” Rubio added.