Saudi diplomats trained to tackle international human trafficking

Saudi diplomats were taught how to interview a suspected victim of human trafficking. (Twitter)
Short Url
Updated 29 March 2021
Follow

Saudi diplomats trained to tackle international human trafficking

  • Embassy staff attend course hosted by foreign ministry, Kingdom’s anti-trafficking body and partnered with UNODC
  • Course teaches how to identify victims, and get them back to their home countries

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s foreign ministry and anti-human trafficking body have helped train dozens of diplomats to spot victims of the “grave” trade.

The classes took place in cooperation with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and included 155 people from 65 Saudi embassies around the world.

The two day training last week focussed on the role of diplomats in identifying cases of trafficking, how to address a confirmed case and how to conduct an interview with a victim.

The training confirmed the roles taken by foreign embassies, international partners, and diplomats to return trafficking victims to their respected countries. 

Those attending were also taught about the legal frameworks locally and internationally for handling cases. 

“Trafficking in persons is a grave violation of human rights, which requires coordination both locally and globally,” Awwad bin Saleh Al-Awwad, chairman of the National Committee to Combat Human Trafficking, said.

“Given the transnational nature of this crime, MOFA’s (the foreign ministry’s) diplomatic missions play a key role.”

Al-Awwad, who is also president of the Human Rights Commission, said the partnership with the UNODC is integrated into nationwide training and programs. 

He said similar collaboration with groups like the International Organization for Migration and the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights was part of a broader strategy to align Saudi efforts with international best practice in upholding human rights.

Judge Hatem Fouad Aly Mohamed, UNODC's representative for the Gulf region, commended Saudi Arabia and those attending the training for their efforts against human traffickers. 

“The government of Saudi Arabia, led by the Saudi Human Rights Commission and its president Dr. Awwad Al-Awwad, has shown such enthusiasm for reform and receptivity to suggestions for improving processes that we as the UNODC are challenging ourselves to equal the commitment of the Kingdom and to avail all our expertise to support the major reform effort in the country, particularly in the improvement of the national referral mechanism in detecting and protecting victims of trafficking in persons,” he said.


Saudi FM discusses regional developments with Russian counterpart

Updated 57 min 12 sec ago
Follow

Saudi FM discusses regional developments with Russian counterpart

RIYADH: Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan discussed regional developments and bilateral relations during a phone call with Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov on Wednesday. 

The ministers discussed bilateral ties and regional developments, a statement on the Saudi foreign ministry account on platform “X”. 

 

 

 


Japan ambassador attends manga exhibition in Riyadh

Updated 15 January 2025
Follow

Japan ambassador attends manga exhibition in Riyadh

  • ‘Manga Hokusai Manga’ exhibition held to mark 70 years of diplomatic ties between Saudi Arabia and Japan

RIYADH: Japan’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Yasunari Morino attended the opening ceremony of the “Manga Hokusai Manga” exhibition here on Tuesday.

Held at the Saudi Arabia Museum of Contemporary Art, the show is one of many upcoming events celebrating the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two nations.

The exhibition celebrates the work of renowned Japanese artist Katsushika Hokusai.

In his speech, Morino said it was a “delight to see more and more Saudi people enjoying the Japanese culture from (the) traditional to contemporary.”

He added that he was happy to see “Saudi artists being inspired by the Japanese manga to create their artworks.”

“I sincerely hope this exhibition will make another footprint of the Japanese culture in KSA and give a great impact in the Saudi art scene,” he said.

The exhibition has been organized in cooperation with the Saudi Museums Commission and the Japan Foundation and is open to the public until Feb. 8.

A version of this article appeared on Arab News Japan

 


Saudi aid agency KSrelief distributes over 2,000 food parcels in Pakistan

Updated 15 January 2025
Follow

Saudi aid agency KSrelief distributes over 2,000 food parcels in Pakistan

RIYADH: The Kingdom’s aid agency KSrelief has distributed 2,028 food parcels in Pakistan’s flood-affected Sindh and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa regions, benefiting 13,159 people, the Saudi Press Agency reported recently.

Sunday’s initiative forms part of this year’s Food Security Support Project in Pakistan.

The aid reflects the Kingdom’s ongoing humanitarian efforts through KSrelief to assist needy individuals in Pakistan.


Energy ministers discuss Saudi-Japan cooperation

Updated 15 January 2025
Follow

Energy ministers discuss Saudi-Japan cooperation

RIYADH: Japan’s Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Yoji Muto held discussions on cooperation with Saudi Arabia’s Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman bin Abdulaziz on Tuesday.

The officials reviewed current ties and stressed the importance of joint efforts in energy transitions, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The ministers welcomed the progress made under the Manar Initiative, which is a Saudi-Japan effort to promote clean energy.

The initiative was launched after former Japan Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s visit to Saudi Arabia in 2023.

A version of this story originally appeared on Arab News Japan


Saudi aid agency KSrelief treats hundreds at Aden prosthetics center

Updated 15 January 2025
Follow

Saudi aid agency KSrelief treats hundreds at Aden prosthetics center

  • The services included the manufacturing and fitting of prosthetic limbs, as well as physical therapy

RIYADH: The Kingdom’s aid agency KSrelief has helped to treat 452 Yemenis, who lost limbs because of the ongoing conflict, at the Prosthetics and Rehabilitation Center in Aden governorate, the Saudi Press Agency reported recently.

A total of 1,407 procedures were completed for men, who made up 65 percent of patients, and women at 35 percent.

In addition, 54 percent were displaced individuals and 46 percent residents.

The services included the manufacturing and fitting of prosthetic limbs, as well as physical therapy.

KSrelief continues to provide general and critical care for vulnerable Yemeni people, the SPA reported.