The Human Rights Commission (HRC) and Aoun Organization for the Welfare of Crime Victims signed on Tuesday at HRC headquarters here a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to strengthen cooperation and coordination between the two institutions in protecting victims and potential victims of trafficking in persons. The agreement was signed by HRC's President and Chairman of the National Committee to Combat Trafficking in Persons Dr. Awad Al-Awwad and Aoun's Board of Directors Chairman Dr. Saad Al-Arifi. The areas of cooperation between the two organizations include sheltering, protecting, and assisting victims and potential victims of trafficking in persons (P/VoTs), in line with the National Referral Mechanism to Combat Trafficking in Persons, launched by the Kingdom in 2020. The MoU also covers the exchange of necessary expertise on managing and operating shelters for trafficking victims following the standard operating procedures (SoPs) that have been developed in this regard. The cooperation between HRC and Aoun will also include specialized training for shelter staff and coordination with counterpart agencies. Under the agreement, Aoun will provide safe housing and comprehensive care for victims of trafficking in persons in the city of Riyadh in line with international standards and best practices. The organization will also offer psychological and social support services, rehabilitation and reintegration services, legal advice, interpretation, and health assistance, in cooperation with the concerned authorities. The signing of this agreement highlights another step in the National Committee to Combat Trafficking in Persons' continuous work to strengthen the Kingdom's efforts in combating trafficking in persons. The NCCHT, chaired by the HRC, was created by a Council of Ministers' decision on July 12, 2009. In addition to the Human Rights Commission, the NCCHT is comprised of the Ministry of Interior (MoI), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), the Ministry of Justice (MoJ), the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development (MHRSD), the Ministry of Media (MoM), and the Public Prosecution (PPO). This year, the Council of Ministers approved the inclusion of the Ministry of Education (MoE) and the Ministry of Health (MoH) to the committee to support further cooperation between various agencies to combat and address this crime.
