RIYADH: Dr. Hala Al-Tuwaijri, president of Saudi Arabia’s Human Rights Commission and the National Committee to Combat Human Trafficking, on Saturday praised the Kingdom’s commitment to eliminating human trafficking. Speaking ahead of the World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, which is observed annually on July 30, Al-Tuwaijri commended Saudi Arabia’s “significant progress” in this area and its implementation of necessary measures to combat human traffickers and to provide care for — and ensure the protection of — their victims. As a result, the Kingdom has improved its global ranking in relevant international reports, she said. Al-Tuwaijri praised the government’s efforts to combat human trafficking under the leadership of King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Since its establishment, Saudi Arabia has focused on the preservation of human dignity and rights. Dr. Hala Al-Tuwaijri , President, Saudi Human Rights Commission She said that the theme for this year’s World Day Against Trafficking in Persons — “Leave no one behind” — aligns with one of the strategic goals of the HRC’s National Action Plan to Combat Human Trafficking 2021-2023, which she explained focuses primarily on prevention by raising community awareness of trafficking in persons and “building national capacity” to combat it. The plan aims to protect and assist victims through “the implementation of an integrated national system that adheres to international standards,” she added, and is intended to “strengthen the prosecution of criminals involved in human trafficking.” Al-Tuwaijri noted that the Kingdom has introduced the National Referral Mechanism as a reference for cases related to human trafficking. Saudi Arabia has “actively supported” preventive measures to address the root causes of human trafficking, she continued, and has established an “integrated criminal justice system and allocated specialized departments, units, and divisions dedicated to collecting evidence, conducting investigations, and prosecuting offenders.” Al-Tuwaijri stressed that, since its establishment, Saudi Arabia has focused on “the preservation of human dignity and rights.”