Article 16 of the Saudi Anti-Human Trafficking Law
المادة 16 من نظام مكافحة جرائم الاتجار بالأشخاص
The article gives the Bureau of Investigation and Public Prosecution jurisdiction to investigate and prosecute the Law's crimes and to inspect the places where victims are sheltered, to make sure court judgments are carried out.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
تختص هيئة التحقيق والادعاء العام بالتحقيق والادعاء في الجرائم المنصوص عليها في هذا النظام، وتختص كذلك بتفتيش أماكن إيواء المجني عليهم في تلك الجرائم ؛ للتأكد من تنفيذ الأحكام القضائية في هذا الشأن .
This is the official Arabic wording, the only legally binding version. We do not translate the law itself; the explanation below is ours. Official source: Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers
Article 16 explained in plain English
This article specifies the body responsible for following up human trafficking crimes after they occur, which is the Bureau of Investigation and Public Prosecution, and assigns it two tasks:
- Investigation and prosecution of the crimes provided for in this Law, meaning investigating the incidents and bringing the case against the accused before the court.
- Inspecting the places where victims are sheltered in those crimes, the purpose of the inspection, according to the text, being to make sure that court judgments in this matter are carried out.
The second task is linked to Article 15, which provides for placing the victim in one of the medical, psychological or social rehabilitation centers if their condition calls for it, or in one of the specialized centers if they need shelter. Article 15 also gives the Public Prosecution or the competent court the assessment of a foreign victim's stay in the Kingdom or work during the investigation or trial.
The article does not detail the procedures or timing of investigation or inspection. Anyone connected with a human trafficking case, as accused or as victim, who needs to understand the stages of investigation and prosecution would do well to consult a lawyer specializing in criminal cases.
Translated from our Arabic explanation with machine assistance. For guidance only; it does not replace advice from a lawyer on your situation.
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Frequently asked questions about Article 16 of the Saudi Anti-Human Trafficking Law
Which body is competent to investigate human trafficking crimes?
Article 16 provides that the Bureau of Investigation and Public Prosecution has jurisdiction to investigate and prosecute the crimes provided for in the Law.
Why are the places where trafficking victims are sheltered inspected?
To make sure that court judgments in this matter are carried out, according to the text of the article.
Does the article set the investigation procedures?
No. The article only specifies the competent body and its tasks without detailing the procedures.
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The texts are reproduced from the official website of the Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers for reference; where they differ, the officially published Arabic text prevails. This content is not legal advice.