Victims of trafficking in persons

Bahrain takes a firm stance against trafficking in persons. This was evident when it maintained its advanced rank in the US Department of State report, keeping its Tier 1 classification for the third time in a row as one of the most successful countries in the area. It was also the first country in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) to hold this distinction. In addition, the Kingdom hosted the Government Forum Against Trafficking in Persons in the Middle East, demonstrating its commitment to protecting human dignity by all legal means, including the abolition of the foreign labour system.

According to Ministerial Decision No. (1) of 2008 (PDF, 46KB, 2 pages, Arabic only), a committee was formed to review cases of trafficking in persons among expatriates residing in the Kingdom of Bahrain. The committee, in coordination with the Ministry of Interior, evaluates them on a case-by-case basis and recommends one of the following actions:

1. Removing obstacles that may prevent expatriate victims from obtaining jobs if it is found that they are in need of work, based on the findings of the specialised committee that are submitted to the Chair in this regard.
2. Coordinating with the Ministry of Interior to return victims to their original domicile in the country to which they belong by nationality, or to their place of residence in any other country whenever they so request.
3. Recommending whether there is a requirement for victims to remain in the Kingdom and to reconcile their legal status to enable them to work, and to submit this recommendation to the Minister of Interior for approval. Once approved, this recommendation is subject to review in accordance with the same procedures every six months, as a maximum. The committee may review all reports related to the victims and may hear their statements or those of their legal representatives.

The Kingdom of Bahrain’s remarkable achievement in being the first MENA country to secure Tier 1 classification in combating trafficking in persons, as per the US Department of State’s report, reflects the extent of its commitment to international standards and its role in the global community. It also promotes a culture of human rights and reflects its readiness to embrace values based on the principles of respect, equality, and justice.