A Comparative Criminological and Legal Analysis of Anti-Human Trafficking Legislation in Saudi Arabia and the United Kingdom

Abstract

Abstract This dissertation develops a comparative criminological and legal critique of anti-human trafficking laws in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United Kingdom. The study critically analyses the national practice of fulfilling international obligations, especially on the Palermo Protocol in relation to the 3Ps framework strategy of prosecution, protection, and prevention. The concept of legal pluralism, institutional configurations, and the role of socio-religious norms, such as the Kafala system in Saudi Arabia and post-Brexit legal changes in the UK, are emphasised. The above combination of the doctrinal approach to the law and the theory of criminology allows the research to pursue an understanding of the relationship between the dynamics of statutory systems and those of enforcement. The key findings indicate a significant level of variation in the processes of identifying the victims, the prosecution machinery, and inter-agency cooperation, even though there is a commonality in the international obligations under the treaty. The content of the analysis contains both structural barriers and points of legal convergence that indicate the necessity of increased international cooperation and transparency, with survivor-centred reforms. By developing jurisdiction-specific practical recommendations, the study can be regarded as a contribution to comparative legal studies and policy reform discussions and, in addition, it suggests some bilateral cross-border cooperation strategies that can be employed by the governments of both countries simultaneously. It concludes by outlining key limitations of the present research and proposing the outlook directions future research might focus on, including an inquiry along with survivor testimonials to pursue the harmonisation of the responses to trafficking across countries