Human Rights Commission

Human Rights Commission is responsible for ensuring and monitoring human rights as stipulated in the Basic Law of Governance in Saudi Arabia, issued in 1992. It was established according to the Human Rights Commission's regulation, issued by the Council of Ministers on September 12, 2005. The governance in the Kingdom is based on justice, consultation, and equality, and the state protects human rights including the right to life, freedom, education, healthcare, and work. It also protects families, empowers women, enhances participation in political and public life, ensures the freedom to form and support associations, and upholds the right to participate in cultural, sports, and recreational activities.

Human Rights Commission, according to agreements, submits reports about the Kingdom to the treaty bodies of the United Nations and the Arab Human Rights Committee to measure the progress of implementing the Kingdom's obligations under these agreements. Saudi Arabia has collaborated with United Nations bodies and processes related to human rights as a member of the Human Rights Council since 2006 and has completed the submission of all reports related to the basic human rights conventions to which it has become a party. It is implementing the recommendations it has committed to under the Universal Periodic Review mechanism and continues to cooperate with special procedures. The Kingdom gives due consideration to the observations and recommendations issued by treaty bodies and the Universal Periodic Review mechanism in light of its plans and policies aimed at achieving these objectives, primarily the Saudi Vision 2030, taking the necessary legislative and institutional measures to enhance regional and international cooperation in human rights.

The Kingdom has become a party to several regional and international human rights treaties, including the Convention on the Rights of the Child, the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman, or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women, the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and its Protocol, the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the Sale of Children, Child Prostitution, and Child Pornography, the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the Involvement of Children in Armed Conflict, the Covenant on the Rights of the Child in Islam, and the Arab Charter on Human Rights.

Human Rights Commission enjoys legal personality and full independence in exercising its duties and is directly linked to the King. The Commission's organization was amended by the resolution of the Council of Ministers, dated March 14, 2016. The Commission aims to protect and promote human rights by international human rights standards and raise awareness in all areas. It is the responsible authority for providing opinions and advice on human rights issues.

Human Rights Commission includes eleven branches, in addition to the headquarters. Each branch consists of four main departments: Communication and Awareness Department, Complaints Department, Monitoring and Investigation Department, and Administrative Affairs Department.

The President of the Human Rights Commission is appointed by a royal decree with the rank of minister, and the Vice President is appointed by a royal decree with excellent rank. It operates from its headquarters in Riyadh. Its organizational structure includes several general departments, including the General Department for Strategic Planning and Institutional Excellence, the General Department for Studies and Research, the General Department for Legal Affairs, and the Publishing and Media Center. It is followed by three main agencies: the Agency for International Cooperation, the Agency for Human Rights Protection, and the Agency for Institutional Resources.

The Council of the Human Rights Commission is responsible for the affairs of the Commission and its administration. It derives its powers from the Commission's regulations and consists of the President of the Commission as the Chairman, the Vice President of the Commission as the Deputy Chairman, and eighteen members appointed by royal decree for a renewable term of four years. They shall have a high qualification in Sharia, law, political, or educational sciences and be known for their integrity, competence, and experience in human rights. They should also be dedicated to work within the duration of their membership. Additionally, there are six non-full-time members appointed by royal decree for a renewable term of four years, known for their interest in human rights. These members have the right to attend meetings without voting rights. The Council holds at least one monthly meeting and may convene emergency meetings when needed.

The Kingdom has witnessed a qualitative leap in the protection and promotion of human rights. This includes the development of legislative and institutional frameworks and the development of a new roadmap in various areas of human rights across the Kingdom, including women's rights, the rights of senior citizens, children's rights, the rights of persons with disabilities, and the fight against human trafficking. The Kingdom has also seen an improvement in its rankings in several international indicators related to human rights. This includes the World Bank's report, which ranked the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as the most advanced and reformed country among 190 countries worldwide in empowering and preserving women's rights, according to its Women, Business, and the Law 2020 report.

Saudi Vision 2030 plays a major role in the transformations related to human rights reforms. It encompasses various rights, including the right to life, the right to security, the right to health, the right to education and training, and the right to work. It also protects families, empowers women, enhances participation in political and public life, ensures the freedom to form and support associations, and upholds the right to participate in cultural, sports, and recreational activities.