JEDDAH: Nearly 40 percent of the Saudi population do not know their rights, said Mufleh Al-Qahtani, president of the National Society for Human Rights (NSHR).

This is despite the efforts made by the society to raise awareness among the Saudi community about their obligations and rights through a series of publications under the title "Know Your Rights," he said.

Speaking to a local publication, he said: “The publications include information on various legal rights that are important for Saudis and expatriates to avoid their rights being taken away from them.”

The publications, he said, include instructions, laws and regulations that regulate labor issues in various sectors, including the rights of prisoners, workers and other segments of society.

“Many government bodies are asking for these publications, so we distribute them in schools and universities and during workshops and exhibitions centred on human rights,” said the NSHR president.

He stressed the fact that if people are briefed on the contents on the publication prior to any event, it will protect them against being stripped of their rights, and can provide them with the details on how to file a complaint and demand their rights.

Sultan Al-Mukhlafi, a legal counsellor, said the series is aimed at raising awareness about the legal aspects of the individual’s rights in his or her community, and the this will be positively reflected in the justice system in the Kingdom.

He said: “Our society is in dire need of boosting its legal awareness on the smaller details of his life such as the paperwork and the daily handling of transactions, as well as about how investigators, security personnel and judicial authorities should treat the public.”

He said that although the NSHR works on boosting the awareness of people about their legal rights and obligation, it is nonetheless weak in reaching out to all of the population.

“It must work to deliver its message to all the segments of society and use all media outlets for this mission,” he said.