Combating Trafficking in Persons

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia places strong emphasis on combating trafficking in persons and has developed a comprehensive legal and institutional framework to address and prevent such crimes. The Kingdom continues to strengthen its judicial and enforcement systems through specialized prosecution units across branches of the Public Prosecution to investigate trafficking cases, as well as dedicated judicial chambers in courts of first instance and courts of appeal to adjudicate these offenses.

National efforts to combat trafficking in persons are reinforced through an integrated legislative framework and active international cooperation. The Kingdom has acceded to several relevant international conventions and protocols and has signed a number of memoranda of understanding with international organizations and relevant entities. At the national level, coordination is ongoing between the Human Rights Commission, government agencies, and civil society institutions to enhance prevention, protection, and response mechanisms.

Definition of Trafficking in Persons

Trafficking in persons refers to the recruitment, transportation, transfer, harboring, or receipt of persons by means of threat, force, coercion, abduction, fraud, or abuse of power for the purpose of exploitation.

 The National Committee to Combat Human Trafficking

The National Committee to Combat Human Trafficking was established pursuant to Council of Ministers Resolution No. (244), dated 20/07/1430 AH, approving the formation of a committee within the Human Rights Commission to address trafficking in persons.

Committee Members

The Committee includes representatives from the Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development, Ministry of Media, Public Prosecution, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Health, and the Human Rights Commission.

Mandate of the Committee

• Monitoring the situation of trafficking victims to ensure protection from re-victimization.
• Developing policies to proactively identify victims and training relevant personnel on victim identification methods.
• Coordinating with competent authorities to repatriate victims to their country of nationality or legal residence upon request.
• Recommending the regularization of victims’ legal status in the Kingdom where necessary, enabling lawful employment, subject to periodic review.
• Preparing research, awareness campaigns, and social and economic initiatives aimed at preventing and combating trafficking in persons.
• Coordinating with relevant authorities on data and statistics related to trafficking crimes.

Legal Framework

The Kingdom has enacted a wide range of laws and regulations related to combating trafficking in persons, including:

• Basic Law of Governance
• Anti-Trafficking in Persons Law
• Labor Law
• Anti-Cyber Crime Law
• Anti-Money Laundering Law
• Law of Protection from Abuse
• Child Protection Law
• Unemployment Insurance Law
• Juvenile Law
• Organ Donation Law
• Domestic Workers List and Those in Their Jurisdiction
• Rules for Recruitment and Labor Services Activities

Anti-Trafficking in Persons Law

Issued by Royal Decree No. (M/40) dated 21/07/1430 AH (14/07/2009), the Law defines forms of trafficking in persons, establishes penalties with aggravated circumstances in specific cases, and provides protection for victims throughout all stages of investigation, prosecution, and trial.

Regional Instruments

Saudi Arabia is a party to several regional instruments related to combating trafficking in persons, including:

• Arab Protocol to Prevent and Combat Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children
• Arab Charter on Human Rights
• Arab Convention on Combating Transnational Organized Crime (2010)
• Arab Comprehensive Strategy to Combat Trafficking in Persons
• Arab Model Law on Combating Trafficking in Persons
• Abu Dhabi Model Law on Combating Trafficking in Persons (GCC States)
• GCC Human Rights Declaration

International Instruments

The Kingdom has also acceded to key international conventions and frameworks, including:

• United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime (2000)
• Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children (2000)
• United Nations Global Plan of Action to Combat Trafficking in Persons (2010)
• Doha Declaration on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice (2015)
• ILO Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work and relevant conventions
• 2014 Protocol to the Forced Labour Convention No. 29 (1930)