Saudi Gazette report MADINAH — Police have refused to take responsibility for homeless psychiatric patients that roam Madinah's streets, Al-Hayat newspaper reported. Madinah Police spokesman, Col. Fahd Al-Ghannam, said responsibility for these homeless people lies with the Red Crescent. The police's role is to assist the Red Crescent if there is any resistance from the homeless people, he said. Ihsan Taeyb, ex-head of Makkah Province Social Affairs, said three ministries are responsible for looking after such individuals, including the ministries of health, social affairs, and interior. He said: “Society as a whole is also responsible for the well being of these individuals, because they did not voluntarily choose their situation and they are not in a position to control themselves.” The head of the human rights committee at the Shoura Council, Dr. Mishal Al-Ali, said homeless people have become a noticeable trend in Saudi society. The Human Rights Commission (HRC) brief is to investigate these cases and explore possible solutions for them. The HRC coordinates with the police to contain such individuals and identify them, he said. He said: “If these homeless people are citizens, then they have rights that must be protected through official channels.” He added that the Ministry of Social Affairs is responsible for dealing with such homeless individuals and help improve their living conditions, whether they are citizens or otherwise. Homeless expatriates' dignity must be preserved until they can correct their residency status or are deported, he said.
