Clamp on trafficking
By REBECCA TORR
Published: 12th March 2008
A DATABASE of human trafficking victims in Bahrain will be launched with the support of the United Nations (UN), it was revealed yesterday.
The International Organisation for Migration (IOM), in collaboration with ministries and other stakeholders, will set up the database over the next nine months.
It will contain information on the victims such as their job, age, nationality, abuse suffered, legal outcomes and other details.
Clamp on trafficking
By REBECCA TORR
Published: 12th March 2008
A DATABASE of human trafficking victims in Bahrain will be launched with the support of the United Nations (UN), it was revealed yesterday.
The International Organisation for Migration (IOM), in collaboration with ministries and other stakeholders, will set up the database over the next nine months.
It will contain information on the victims such as their job, age, nationality, abuse suffered, legal outcomes and other details.
The database is part of a UN-led project entitled Capacity Building and Awareness Raising on Counter-Trafficking in Bahrain.
The nine-month project was launched alongside the opening of the new IOM office at UN House, in Manama, yesterday.
It is the first project of its kind to be implemented in the GCC.
“It’s a big step in IOM’s engagement in the GCC,” said Middle East regional representative Dr Shahidul Haque.
“The project will contribute to the government’s efforts to address human trafficking.
“On labour mobility issues, Bahrain has played a very active role.
“I’m grateful to the government of Bahrain because they have agreed to implement this project.
“We will use this as a model for other GCC countries.”
The anti-trafficking project will include training on law enforcement, shelter management and capacity building.
There will also be training on the subject for the media besides raising awareness by distributing information.
“The target is to focus on countering trafficking in line with a law that was passed earlier this year,” said Foreign Ministry legal directorate director Ambassador Dr Yusuf Mohammed.
The IOM will hold a closed roundtable meeting with embassy and ministry officials to discuss how they can combine their efforts.
A four-day law enforcement workshop for 35 Interior Ministry staff will also be held at the InterContinental Regency Bahrain from Sunday.
It will be conducted by UK law enforcement expert Peter Bryant.
Bahrain is the fourth country in the Middle East and North Africa region to open an IOM office. The other countries are Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Yemen.
The IOM plans to hold more anti-human trafficking campaigns with the government and other organisations from its office at UN House.
“IOM is not a human rights organisation, it’s a service provider – this is how it has evolved and how member countries want it to remain,” said Dr Haque.
“We will be following up with ministries and see what we can do to make human mobility beneficial to all stakeholders.”
The IOM is an inter-governmental agency with 122 member states, 18 states holding observer status and offices in over 100 countries. It has assisted approximately 11 million migrants.
The IOM works in four broad areas of migration management: migration and development, aiding migration, regulating migration and addressing forced migration.
It will work together with counterparts including the Foreign and Social Development Ministries, embassies and non-governmental organisations to conduct training, workshops, initiatives and discussions on combating human trafficking.
The organisation is funded by member countries, while host countries also contribute to specific projects.
“”The government of Bahrain has promised to give our whole efforts to support this programme and we encourage administration support for all their activities,” said Dr Mohammed.
The Press conference was also attended by UN resident co-ordinator Sayed Aqa, UN Information Centre (UNIC) director Nejib Friji, Social Development Ministry representative Ameena Jalal and other ministry and UN officials. becky@gdn.com.bh
——————————————————————————–
© Gulf Daily News
http://www.gulf-daily-news.com/story.asp?Article=211305&Sn=BNEW&IssueID=30358
