Saudi Gazette report

RIYADH —The Human Rights Commission (HRC) on Sunday launched a five-day training program titled “Incorporating Human Rights Standards into the Work of Prison Staff.”

The program aims to instill respect for prisoners’ rights by implementing the human rights standards included in the national regulations and international conventions and agreements to which the Kingdom is a signatory, to brief the staff on the mechanism, related international conventions, to implement these standards when dealing with prisoners, adopt a legal culture that reflects on the conduct of those assigned the task of carrying out the law so that there is respect for the prisoners, Saudi Press Agency (SPA) report said on Monday.

The first session addressed definitions, concepts, characteristics and standards of human rights, while the second reviewed human rights-related instruments and treaties.

The third session touched on safeguards protecting the rights of those detained or imprisoned, minimum guidelines for the treatment of prisoners, and principles for the protection of all people under any form of detention or imprisonment.

The fourth and last session discussed international instruments related to juvenile justice, and the UN’s principles for the prevention of juvenile delinquency.

The sessions continued on Monday and discussed the UN’s standard minimum rules for non-custodial measures; the national framework for human rights and prisons, and inhumane or degrading treatments or punishment.

The program was carried out in cooperation with the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights.

It comes within the sphere of the HRC’s efforts in protecting and promoting human rights, spreading awareness on them and ensuring their implementation at all levels.