Riyadh: The Human Rights Commission held here today the symposium “Enhancing Cooperation in Combating Trafficking in Persons”.
The symposium, which highlighted the urgent need for heightened international collaboration to fight human trafficking, brought together local and foreign officials and specialists, and representatives of various embassies.
Speakers stressed the need to move beyond traditional methods and adopt innovative tools and more accurate identification methods to effectively locate victims and potential victims. Participants also stressed the need for timely and appropriate care and support for victims, for respecting their dignity and for efforts to protect individuals from exploitation.
Throughout the discussions, a human rights-based approach was championed. It prioritizes victim safety and well-being, advocating for equality, non-discrimination, and the reintegration of victims into society.
The symposium also called for identifying the root causes of human trafficking and for closing
legal loopholes that allow perpetrators to evade punishment, so that, ultimately, justice for victims is ensured.
Speaking at the symposium, Human Rights Commission President and National Committee to Combat Human Trafficking Chairwoman Dr. Hala Al-Tuwaijri said that key strategies to combat these crimes include strengthening and enforcing legislation, ensuring justice for victims, and providing them with comprehensive care and support. She also said that public awareness campaigns and education about the dangers and consequences of human trafficking are crucial.
Al-Tuwaijri said people should be encouraged to report trafficking cases, adding that training programs for improved detection and handling of such cases are important.
She underscored the need for enhanced international and national cooperation among all stakeholders in the fight against human trafficking.
Al-Tuwaijri said that the commission is implementing the second phase of a project to bolster the Kingdom’s efforts to protect victims of hum
an trafficking that is a collaborative effort of the UN Office on Drugs and Crime and the International Organization for Migration. The project is the result of memoranda of understanding signed by the Kingdom with these two organizations. Its goal is to unify efforts and use a comprehensive approach to combat these crimes.
Al-Tuwaijri further emphasized that the current global climate of crises and conflicts has created fertile ground for human trafficking and the exploitation of people. This, she argued, makes it imperative to strengthen international cooperation to combat this crime.
To that end, she said, the commission organized the symposium, which fosters exchange of expertise and enhances coordination, and whose goals are to tackle human trafficking, prevent it from happening, mitigate its impact on victims and ultimately safeguard them.
The symposium, which drew extensive local, international, and diplomatic participation, addressed a wide range of topics, including legislative and institutional f
rameworks for combating human trafficking, relevant regional and international instruments and conventions, and best practices for raising awareness, and improving prevention and victim protection.
Participants also explored current trends and developments in human trafficking, along with global challenges and solutions.
International partnerships and innovative preventive measures were other topics of discussion.
Source: Saudi Press Agency