The National Society for Human Rights (NSHR) in Makkah has reported a number of human rights violations at water distribution plants in Jeddah including separate queues for Saudis and foreigners and abuse of water tanker drivers.

The reports have been sent to the Makkah governorate and the water utilities company.

In its reports, the NSHR condemned the fact that citizens and residents have to queue for water. “It is simply unacceptable to see people for years coming to the supply centers for water. The authorities must find a serious and final solution to this problem,” said Husain Al-Sharif, the general supervisor of the NSHR’s Makkah branch.

“We saw unreasonable practices … the lines for expats, the majority of whom were drivers and domestics working for Saudi nationals, were too long. It took them hours to get water.” He also objected to having people out in the sun for hours.

“Not only that, we saw water tanker drivers working for 12 hours a day, which is clearly a violation of labor laws. Some drivers told us that they are not given accommodation by employers,” he said.

He urged the authorities concerned to take the necessary action to protect the dignity of people.