The Kingdom's two human rights bodies have criticized the work of Social Security, saying that many people are being forced instead to turn to their organizations for help. They also believe the situation indicates an increase in poverty in the Kingdom. Speaking Wednesday at a forum meeting in Najran of Social Security directors from across the Kingdom, Vice Chairman of the Human Rights Commission Zaid Al-Hussein said that surveys were required at schools, hospitals, courts and prisons to identify persons in need, and also called for a rise in pensions. “We also need to take into account the differences in the cost of living between cities and other areas,” Al-Hussein said. Vice Chairman of the National Society of Human Rights Saleh Al-Khathlan, meanwhile, said the large number of requests for assistance received by his organization indicated rising poverty. “We require new regulations to fight poverty,” Al-Khathlan said. “Although poverty is a public issue from a human rights point of view, the narrow view taken on it in the Kingdom led to the whole issue being put under the responsibility of the Ministry of Social Affairs.” Abdullah Al-Sadhan, the Assistant Deputy Minister of Social Affairs for Social Security, responded by asking the two organizations to pay his ministry a visit. “The National Human Right Commission and the Human Rights Society should visit Social Security offices, get acquainted with the work there and obtain accurate information,” Al
