JEDDAH, Jun 19 (Arab News): People can now lodge their complaints about the excesses of security officers in the Kingdom by dialing 989, an interactive telephone number at the Public Security headquarters in Riyadh.

The toll-free number was provided following the opening of a branch office of the Human Rights Commission at Public Security by Prince Muhammad bin Naif, assistant minister of interior for security affairs on Tuesday.

In a statement on the occasion, Bandar Al-Aiban, the commission’s president, commended the Interior Ministry’s efforts to protect the rights of citizens and residents dealing with its agencies.

“Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah wants to spread a culture of human rights in the Kingdom in partnership with public and private agencies,” Al-Aiban said in the statement.

He said the similar branch offices of the commission have been opened at Ministries of Education and Justice and the Commission for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice.

“We intend to open branches in other government departments and hopefully they would contribute to preventing excesses and finding solutions to rights violations if any,” he said.

Lt. Col. Ibrahim Al-Munie, who is the branch supervisor at Public Security, said the toll-free number would help the public to interact with security officials to present their proposals, observations and complaints relating to its staff and services. “The number, which is based on interactive voice response (IVR) system, allows the command to receive 240 calls at a time,” he pointed out.

Speaking about the system’s features, Capt. Saeed Al-Marri, manager of the office, said it can receive 90,000 calls a day. “People can also enquire about traffic violations and the requirements of various security services,” he added.

“The main objective of this office is to ensure the commitment of Public Security and its branches in taking care of human rights in all their dealings and this demands effective interaction with the public,” Al-Marri said.