Saudi rights body signs deal to launch programs for prisoners’ rights

Dr. Awwad Al-Awwad, president of the Human Rights Commission, on Monday said the Kingdom attaches great importance to the rights of prisoners and provides them with comprehensive care through various rehabilitation programs to help them integrate into society and become productive citizens.

He was speaking at the signing ceremony of three memorandums understanding (MoUs) with the National Committee for Prisoners, their Families, and Ex-Convicts (Tarahum) in Riyadh.

Al-Awwad said teams from the commission regularly visit prisons and detention facilities to ensure the rights of inmates are protected.

He said the commission works with the General Directorate of Prisons to promote prisoners’ rights in line with national regulations and international and regional agreements.

The agreement envisages the establishment of three centers.

The first center will be set up to support alternative punishments; the second center will be dedicated to visual communication between prisoners and their families; and the third will design and implement awareness programs.

Tarahum Secretary-General Turki bin Abdullah Al-Bati said the MoUs will help widen the scope of the committee, which seeks to work for the betterment of society in cooperation with relevant authorities.