Ministers sign Arab agreement against trafficking in humans

Tunisian President Beji Caid Essebsi received Arab Interior and Justice Ministers yesterday at the joint meeting of the Arab Interior and Justice Councils, held as part of the efforts to reinforce regional security and judicial work. Interior Minister General Shaikh Rashid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa and Justice, Islamic Affairs and Endowments Minister Shaikh Khalid bin Ali Al Khalifa took part in the meeting which was inaugurated by the Tunisian Head of Government Youssef Chahed.

In his speech, the Tunisian Premier stressed that cross-border challenges needed closer coordination, necessary mechanisms, unified efforts and human and financial resources to ensure the security and safety of all nations. He also stressed on coordination between law-enforcing agencies and independence of the judiciary. He hoped for further strengthening of ties between Arab security and judicial organisations to improve the quality of work being done.  The Arab Interior and Justice Ministers discussed the agenda related to the activation of Arab security and judicial agreements, counter-terrorism strategies and decisions of the Arab organisations working jointly. 

These included the Riyadh Agreement on Arab Judicial Cooperation, the Arab Counter-terrorism Agreement, the Arab Strategy against Extremism and the Arab Agreement against Money Laundering and Terrorism Financing. The meeting decided to take a number of decisions that would be referred for implementation to the Arab organisations working jointly.   Meanwhile, the Interior Minister, Justice Minister and their Arab counterparts signed the Arab Protocol Against Trafficking of Persons, Especially Women and Children.

This supplements the Arab Convention against Transnational Organised Crime, the Arab Protocol for the Prevention and Combating of Maritime Piracy and Armed Robbery as part of the Arab Convention against Transnational Organised Crime, the Arab Agreement to Regulate Organ Transplants, and the Arab Agreement to Prevent and Fight Human Cloning. The Interior Minister affirmed that the activation of the Arab security and judicial agreement was a practical step to reinforce Arab co-operation to tackle increasing challenges. He highlighted the importance of further Arab cooperation and coordination, especially in the field of counter-terrorism.

He also highlighted the importance of stronger joint efforts to exchange information and dry up terrorists’ resources, including the prevention of Iranian interference in the internal affairs of Arab countries. He said that the Iran’s expansionist ambitions and its support for terrorist crimes required serious Arab work through taking an Arab stand and clear-cut steps in view of the Arab countries’ common destiny.  

In the same context, the Justice Minister said that Bahrain’s participation in the meeting showed its faith in the importance of joint Arab efforts, especially in the current climate of regional challenges that called for Arab solidarity and an increasing capability to overcome the obstacles facing the Arab action.  He also said the meeting signified the integration of security and judiciary in order to take united stands and improve their performance. The meeting was attended by Bahraini Ambassador to Tunisia Ebrahim Mahmood Ahmed Abdullah and the delegations accompanying both the ministers.