Bahrain backs efforts to combat trafficking

A top Bahraini official yesterday affirmed Bahrain’s full backing to the international community in combating human trafficking. Dr Shaikha Rana bint Isa bin Daij Al Khalifa also offered to share Bahrain’s expertise in developing plans, programmes, legislation and strict executive measures to fight this crime.

The Undersecretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Vice-Chairperson of the National Committee to Combat Trafficking in Persons was taking part in a seminar organised by Belarus in Geneva on “Combating human trafficking in the context of armed conflict”.

The event was on the sidelines of the 33rd International Conference of the International Committee of the Red Cross and Red Crescent in Geneva. The conference highlighted the growing phenomenon of trafficking in persons to which civilians, especially women and children are exposed as a result of armed conflicts and civil wars.

During the panel discussion, Dr Shaikha Rana stressed His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa’s continuous efforts to promote and protect human rights at all levels, and the firm position of Bahrain in fighting all forms of exploitation and trafficking in persons. She affirmed Bahrain’s continuous support to efforts to confront this crime and shed more light on it and urged to strengthen international cooperation to suppress armed conflicts and wars.

The key speakers at the event were Oleg Kravchenko, Deputy Foreign Minister of the Republic of Belarus, alongside Renate Held, Director of IOM Migration Management Department, Grainne O’Hara, Director of UNHCR International Protection Division, and Ilias Chatzis, Chief, UNODC Human Trafficking and Migrant Smuggling Section.

The discussion was moderated by Yury Ambrazevich, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Belarus to the United Nations Office and other International Organisations.