Riyadh gets tough on human trafficking

Riyadh: In an effort to stem the ever increasing numbers of human trafficking cases, Saudi Arabia has finalised a draft law which will allow the culprits to be severely punished.

On Monday the Shura Council unanimously approved a draft law allowing up to 15 years imprisonment and a maximum fine of one million Saudi riyals (about Dh980,000) or both, for those convicted of the crime.

The Secretary General of the council Dr Mohammad Al Gamdi said the draft consists of 17 articles on combating human trafficking.

Jail and fines

The draft legislation was prepared by the Shura Sub Committee for Islamic, Judicial and Human Rights Affairs.

According to Al Gamdi, there are provisions in the law to take punitive measures in accordance with the severity of the crime.

"In some cases of human trafficking, the culprits will be sentenced to a maximum of five years in jail and a fine of 200,000 riyals or both. In other cases, the jail term and fine will be up to two years and 100,000 riyals or both," he said.

Dr Zuhair Al Harithy, official spokesman for the Saudi Human Rights Commission, told Gulf News the draft law will soon be presented to the Council of Ministers for its final approval after its endorsement by the Shura Council.

"This shows the keenness on the part of Saudi authorities to further improve the human rights situations in the kingdom and open corridors for working closely with the international community in this respect," he said.