Saudi Arabia has recently carried out a series of arrest operations involving issues such as sex trafficking, street begging, and human trafficking. This operation was launched after Saudi Arabia established a new specialized agency to deal with such problems. The establishment of this agency reflects Saudi Arabia's commitment to combating these crimes.
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03-25, 2025Last month, the Saudi Ministry of Interior announced the establishment of the General Directorate of Community Security and Combating Human Trafficking Crimes. To date, more than 50 people have been arrested, and the agency mainly targets non-Saudi nationals. In Riyadh, police arrested three foreigners, accusing them of "engaging in prostitution activities" in hotels. This demonstrates the agency's active enforcement of the law.
In other parts of the Saudi capital, 14 Yemenis were arrested for "using 27 children of the same nationality for begging." At the same time, Jeddah police arrested five foreigners, accusing them of "engaging in immoral behavior" in massage and leisure centers. In the Qassim province, a man and two women were arrested on charges of sex trafficking. These arrests highlight the widespread nature of the crackdown.
The Ministry of Interior stated that the agency's mission is to combat crimes that "violate individual rights, demean the basic freedoms guaranteed by Islamic law and the law, or violate individual dignity in any way." Sarah Leah Whitson, executive director of the human rights organization "Democracy for the Arab World Now" (DAWN), warned that the new agency's broad powers could lead to arbitrary arrests. The scope of the agency's mandate raises concerns about potential abuse.
Whitson said: "The right way to combat human trafficking or sex trafficking is to enact clear laws that strictly regulate behavior, rather than vaguely stipulating 'morality' and 'dignity,' which opens the door to arbitrary arrests and persecution." She added: "Foreigners and migrant workers should enjoy the same due process protections as Saudi citizens, including warrants before arrest and the opportunity to challenge the charges before an impartial judge." Ensuring fair treatment is crucial for upholding human rights.
Ali Shihabi, a commentator focusing on Saudi Arabia, said that the establishment of the new agency is to address the increasing number of foreigners engaging in sex trafficking activities. He said: "As visas have become easier to obtain, many foreign women have come to Saudi Arabia, staying in hotels and posting advertisements for sexual services. This is mainly to solve this phenomenon." As for street begging, Shihabi said that the authorities "have been trying to solve this problem for many years." These explanations provide context for the agency's creation and priorities.
Saudi columnist Khaled Al-Sulaiman wrote in the Okaz newspaper last month that the new agency will ensure that "crimes involving immoral and prostitution activities" do not go unpunished. He wrote: "Our country, as the holy land of Muslims, has its own religious and social identity, and no one should tarnish the image of Saudi society. Although such immoral and illegal acts were previously carried out in secret, today those who engage in these acts should never think that they can be public without being punished." This reflects a desire to maintain Saudi Arabia's traditional values.
Since Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman took office, he has weakened the influence of the notorious religious and moral police force, which in the past enforced strict moral codes on ordinary Saudi citizens. These are part of a series of social reform measures in his "Vision 2030" strategy, which aims to diversify the Saudi economy and improve its international reputation. Nevertheless, last year Saudi Arabia imprisoned fitness trainer Manahel al-Otaibi for expressing views advocating for women's rights online and wearing "indecent clothes." This incident highlights the complexities and limitations of the ongoing reforms.
