The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, represented by the Human Rights Commission, signed today in Riyadh a Memorandum of Understanding with the Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons in the United States Department of State, to enhance technical cooperation in Combating Trafficking in Persons. The MoU was co-signed by President of the Saudi Human Rights Commission Dr. Bandar bin Mohammed Al-Aiban and Ambassador-at-Large John Cotton Richmond. Before the signing of the agreement, a meeting was held between the two sides during which Dr. Al-Aiban reviewed the Kingdom's efforts in combating trafficking in persons crimes, including the establishment of 107 departments by the Public Prosecuting to investigate trafficking in persons cases. Al-Aiban praised the constructive cooperation with the American side, stressing the Kingdom's keenness and continuous efforts to expand international cooperation in combating this crime, pointing out that this MoU confirms the Kingdom's moving forward in consolidating the protection and preservation of human rights in general and in the field of combating trafficking in persons crimes in particular. The Human Rights Commission said that the MoU included the implementation of joint activities, programs and projects, in accordance with the Kingdom's legislation and international obligations, and in coordination between the Commission and the relevant governmental bodies. The MoU also aims to strengthen national capacities by providing expertise and technical consultations in the field of combating trafficking in persons crimes and developing the capabilities of the workers. It also included providing technical and administrative expertise in relation to the activity of shelters for victims of trafficking crimes and its role, establishing mechanisms to protect and assist victims, and preparing mechanisms for receiving complaints and reports and developing their means.
