NEW YORK - Saudi Arabia reaffirmed its utmost keenness on the protection of human rights and preservation of human dignity through enforcing deterrent regulations based on the provisions of the Islamic Shariah. "The Anti-Trafficking in Persons Law, which was approved in 2009, is one of the most important regulations in this regard," said Advisor Mohammed Al-Ateeq, deputy representative of Saudi Arabia's Permanent Delegation to the United Nations. He said this while addressing the high-level meeting to review progress in implementing the UN Global Plan of Action to Combat Trafficking in Persons at UN headquarters here on Wednesday. Al-Ateeq said the Kingdom advanced its ranks globally in human rights track record with scoring many achievements. "The Kingdom is also working to implement regulations and procedures to combat and eliminate crimes related to human rights," he said. The Saudi delegate noted that there are ample provisions in the Kingdom's Anti-Trafficking in Persons Law to safeguard the rights of human trafficking victims. The law guarantees full protection to the victims during the investigation and trial phases against perpetrators of the crimes. The investigation and trial procedures are being carried out in line with the provisions of the Islamic Shariah as well as with the national and international standards pertaining to human rights. The Council of Ministers had decided earlier to constitute a committee to combat human trafficking crimes under the Human Rights Commission (HRC). The commission had worked out a national plan to combat trafficking in persons crimes, Al-Ateeq said adding that the Kingdom is making its utmost efforts to combat this crime at both the national and international levels.
