The Kingdom of Bahrain maintains Tier-1 status in the US Department of State’s 2024 Trafficking in Persons Report for the Seventh Consecutive Year

TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune - www.newsofbahrain.com

The US State Department's Trafficking in Persons (TIP) report, which assesses 188 countries worldwide, has reaffirmed Bahrain's international standing in upholding human rights and combating human trafficking. The Kingdom has maintained its Tier 1 ranking, the highest in the classification, for the seventh consecutive year.

Bahrain leads the region in achieving this advanced ranking, reflecting its commitment to providing a progressive and stable work environment that safeguards the rights of all individuals without discrimination. This is achieved through a comprehensive framework that begins with proactive and ongoing awareness-raising, followed by protection and redress, in accordance with human rights principles and fundamental freedoms.

These principles are enshrined in Bahrain's Constitution, National Action Charter, national legislation, and international treaties and agreements, which serve as an institutional guide for all government agencies in the Kingdom.The report emphasizes Bahrain's success in establishing a robust culture of human rights and combating trafficking in persons and the holistic framework centered on key pillars: prevention, protection, prosecution, partnerships, and institutionalizing labour practices.

This success has contributed to building a strong societal base that rejects any illegal practices in the labor market, and supports the maintenance of a highly stable work environment that protects the rights of all parties without discrimination. This is achieved through an integrated mechanism involving various relevant government entities.

Bahrain has coordinated and mobilized efforts at both national and international levels among all relevant parties by enhancing awareness and community partnership. The Labor Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA) has established a dedicated directorate for Partnership and Outreach to raise awareness about illegal practices in the labor market, recognizing the importance of community awareness in curbing such practices.

The LMRA proactively raises awareness by informing expatriate workers upon their arrival at Bahrain International Airport about their rights and duties, and providing them with communication channels for assistance, consultation, and reporting any illegal practices. The LMRA proactively raises awareness by informing expat workers upon their arrival at Bahrain International Airport about their rights and obligations, as well as providing them with communication channels for assistance, consultation,
and reporting any illegal practices.

Ongoing awareness efforts continue through multi-channel campaigns in partnership with the embassies of labor-sending countries, civil society institutions, and UN and international organizations to ensure that awareness reaches all workers in various languages Bahrain has also continued to strengthen its efforts to raise community awareness of human trafficking and illegal practices in the labor market through the Regional Center for Training on Combating Trafficking in Persons.

In partnership with international organizations, the center conducts programs and training courses aimed at defining the crime and its various forms. It also enhances the capabilities of frontline workers in police stations, hospitals, health centers,