Saudi Arabia Human Rights: HRC President Affirms Commitment To Protect And Promote Rights

Saudi Arabia reiterates that protecting human rights and supporting international cooperation remain central state priorities. President of the Human Rights Commission (HRC) Dr. Hala bint Mazyad Al-Tuwaijri delivered this message during the Kingdom’s address to the high-level segment of the 61st session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in Geneva, where she set out current policies and recent measurable results.

Dr. Hala stated that: "Saudi Arabia values the noble objectives of the UNHRC and underscores the importance of translating them into reality through joint cooperation." She emphasised that this cooperation depends on constructive dialogue and mutual respect among states. The statement underlined Saudi Arabia’s support for international efforts within a multilateral system that seeks practical outcomes for individuals and communities.

The HRC president explained that Saudi Vision 2030 continues to drive wide reforms that place the individual at the centre of public policy. She referred to 2025 regulatory developments, including the Law of Sports, which uses a human rights-based approach and contains provisions based on equality and non-discrimination. These legal changes, Dr. Hala said, aim to align domestic frameworks with international human rights standards.

Dr. Hala highlighted national measures tackling labour rights and workplace protections. She reported that compliance with occupational safety and health standards increased from 15% to 73%. Work-related fatalities declined by 70% in the same period. The unemployment rate fell from 12.3% in 2016 to nearly 7% in 2025, reflecting broader labour reforms and programmes that promote equal opportunities and equal treatment in employment.

The statement also detailed efforts to address forced labour and child labour. Dr. Hala noted the adoption and implementation of national policies designed to prevent such practices, supported by an integrated legislative, institutional, and judicial framework. These steps aim to ensure that workers’ rights are addressed in law and applied in practice across different sectors within the Kingdom.

Addressing the situation of residents, Dr. Hala said more than 15 million people from over 60 countries live and work in Saudi Arabia. She stressed that these residents are covered by the same protective framework, which seeks to safeguard respect for their rights. She added that these measures, together with cooperation with the UN system, represent an ongoing commitment to strengthen and protect human rights.

With inputs from SPA