Human Trafficking in Saudi Arabia Report

Saudi Arabia has a vast and varied track record of human rights violations. As an absolute monarchy, the King- dom has established laws and practices that serve to maintain the ruling family’s hold on power. Beyond the vast implications these policies have on civil liberties and political freedom, these policies have enabled human traf- ficking to run rampant in the Kingdom. Particularly, the Saudi Labor Law, the kafala system (or system of foreign sponsorship), and male guardianship system remain major facilitators driving the Kingdom’s egregious human trafficking-related issues. Through the Human Rights Foundation’s (HRF) analysis of legal amendments, testimo- nies from victims, and international scrutiny, it is evident that the Saudi regime’s recent efforts to reform these repressive systems are merely cosmetic and fail to shield the victims most in need of protection. This is, in part, because these systems are also used as a measure to maintain political dominance.