New programs to protect, promote human rights in Saudi Arabia

The Saudi Human Rights Commission (HRC) president said on Sunday that the Kingdom is working to protect and promote human rights around the world as it launched new human rights training programs.

In the statement on UN World Day of Social Justice, Dr. Awwad bin Saleh Al-Awwad added that human rights “are the responsibility of all sectors of the state, institutions and individuals.”

His comments came as the HRC and Alwaleed Philanthropies launched a series of training programs and seminars as part of an MoU signed by both parties in the presence of Princess Lamia bint Majed Saud Al-Saud, secretary-general and member of the board of trustees at Alwaleed Philanthropies.

The Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, and international and local human rights experts will also oversee the programs.

The human rights training programs will boost the capabilities of workers in the field of human rights and charity work.

Al-Awwad said that the HRC is ready to cooperate with all local, regional, and international establishments working in the field of human rights.

He added that the commission is aiming to integrate human rights methodology into the sector, strengthen interaction with human rights mechanisms and build capabilities for specialist workers.

Princess Lamia stressed the importance of empowering and supporting women, and continuing efforts to support the work of women in the legal sector.

The training programs will be held over two days and will tackle international and local laws related to human rights, the obligation of the state toward human rights, concepts and terminology, and the protection of rights at the national level.

They will also cover the work of UN institutions, treaties and protocols, and how they interact with the Kingdom.