Bahrain : An Interior Minister anti-human trafficking official commended Bahrain’s success in retaining Tier 1 status for the seventh consecutive year in the US State Department’s Trafficking in Persons (TIP) report.
He said the achievement was the result of the directives of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and his approach of upholding human rights for citizens and residents of Bahrain. He also commended the support of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, for national efforts, including the Interior Ministry, that are aligned with the royal approach.
Colonel Abdulwahab Rashid Bunashi, Director of Anti-Human Trafficking and Protection of Public Morals at the General Directorate of Criminal Investigations and Forensic Science that the Kingdom of Bahrain’s achievement reflects the efforts to ensure that all parties in the labour market obtain their full rights. He noted that the Kingdom of Bahrain’s maintenance of this status over a period of 7 continuous years reflects the sustained efforts and international confidence in Bahrain’s endeavours to address the unlawful practices of trafficking in persons.
Furthermore, he said the directorate had received a total of 50 trafficking in persons complaints last year and 17 reports during the first five months of 2024
He highlighted the instructions of His Excellency Interior Minister General Shaikh Rashid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa and his continuous support to the Directorate, also noting the follow-up of the Chief of Public Security and the continuous encouragement and support of the Director-General of Criminal Investigations and Forensic Science.
Colonel Bunashi commended the efforts of the National Committee to Combat Trafficking in Persons and thanked all its members for their positive cooperation, which contributed to this international achievement. He also thanked Directorate of Anti-Human Trafficking and Protection of Public Morals personnel for their dedication in performing their tasks and outstanding efforts in the field of combating trafficking in persons in cooperation and coordination with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Justice, Islamic Affairs and Endowments, the Ministry of Labour, the Ministry of Information Affairs, the Public Prosecution, the Labour Market Regulatory Authority, the Nationality, Passports and Residence Affairs, police stations and other concerned authorities regarding receiving reports and exchanging information to combat trafficking in persons.
He also underscored the role extensive efforts of investigation personnel and the continuous cooperation with international organisations through meetings, conferences, seminars, lectures and workshops, He added that the directorate launched several campaigns through various media means to raise public awareness on human trafficking crimes.
The Director of Anti-Human Trafficking and Protection of Public Morals indicated that an e-mail address (555@interior.gov.bh) was recently launched in addition to the hotline (555) to report any issues or complaints around the clock related to combating these crimes in order to activate community partnership and ensure prompt response to take legal actions while ensuring confidentiality.
BNA:290624