Human Trafficking in Saudi Arabia: Key Challenges and Efforts

Saudi Arabia has been working to combat human trafficking within its borders, but challenges persist. Here are some key points about the country’s efforts and struggles:

Establishing a Framework for Combating Human Trafficking

• Specialized Courts: Saudi Arabia has established specialized criminal courts to handle cases related to human trafficking.
• Decline in Prosecution and Conviction Rates: Despite these efforts, there has been a decline in the number of traffickers prosecuted and convicted since the establishment of these courts.

Transparency and Accountability

• Lack of Transparency in Penalties and Sentencing: There is a lack of transparency regarding the imposed penalties and sentencing details for human trafficking cases.
• Abuses within the Penitentiary System: The Saudi Arabian penitentiary system has been known to be secretive, making it difficult to obtain information about the conditions inside prison facilities. However, numerous reports have indicated severe abuses, including torture, inadequate medical care, overcrowding beyond capacity, and mistreatment of both male and female prisoners.

Efforts to Reform the Justice System

• Implementation of Written Penal Codes: Recent efforts have been made to reform the justice system in Saudi Arabia, including the implementation of written penal codes for discretionary crimes, aiming to enhance the integrity and efficiency of judicial institutions.
• Specialized Units within Law Enforcement: There are specialized organized crime units established within law enforcement, including a narcotics unit as well as a newly created independent unit focusing on financial crimes.

Challenges in Combating Human Trafficking

• Difficult Terrain: Saudi Arabia’s borders are under constant pressure due to its challenging terrain, which makes policing difficult.
• Trafficking Routes: Trafficking routes into the country are often established by people from tribal areas or intertwined with migration and pilgrimage.

Efforts to Enhance Security at Borders

• Utilizing INTERPOL’s Global Databases: The Saudi government has taken measures to enhance security at its borders, including utilizing INTERPOL’s global databases for instant checks of people, documents, and vehicles.

Addressing Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing

• Systemic Vulnerabilities: Money laundering and terrorist financing are systemic vulnerabilities of Saudi Arabia, although public statistics on the extent of the issue are not readily available.
• Efforts to Protect Critical Infrastructure in Cyberspace: The country has made increased efforts to protect critical infrastructure in cyberspace through the implementation of a comprehensive strategy at both domestic and international levels.

Progress in Enhancing Victim Support Services

• Establishment of Shelters and Welfare Centers: Saudi Arabia is making progress in enhancing victim support services through the establishment of shelters and welfare centers, providing aid including accommodation, social services, healthcare, psychological counseling, education, and legal support.

Challenges Persist

• Limited Effectiveness in Identifying and Referencing Victims: Despite these efforts, concerns persist about Saudi Arabia’s limited effectiveness in identifying and referring victims, particularly among vulnerable populations.
• Restrictions on Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and Independent Media: Challenges persist regarding civil society organizations (CSOs) and independent media in Saudi Arabia. Most CSOs are affiliated with the government, while independent CSOs face restrictions that can lead to their banning or loss of operational rights for violating certain criteria. Independent media is virtually non-existent, and journalists encounter repressive measures, including self-censorship and the risk of prosecution for criticizing government policies.