Saudi Arabia has long been an important destination for migrant workers, especially from across Asia, the Middle East, and the Horn of Africa. Recently, however, the country has started to pursue a policy of “Saudisation” to drive down the number of migrants, which has involved a series of deportation campaigns aimed at removing “illegal workers.” These mass removal efforts have led to huge numbers of people being placed in deplorable detention conditions as they await removal from the country. In a submission to the Universal Periodic Review, the GDP and Migrant-Rights.org have highlighted the country’s deportation campaigns and the accompanying ill-treatment that migrants experience. Examining the situation faced by female migrants, the submission also highlights the vulnerability of female non-citizens – including victims of trafficking – to detention and abuse. Read the full submission here.
