——————————————————————————–
Bahrain rights drive expanded
By SOMAN BABY
BAHRAIN’s efforts to eliminate human trafficking will come under the spotlight at the UN next week.
Chairman of the national committee for combating human trafficking, Shaikh Abdul Aziz bin Mubarak Al Khalifa, has been invited to make a presentation at the thematic meeting of the UN General Assembly in New York on Wednesday.
——————————————————————————–
Bahrain rights drive expanded
By SOMAN BABY
BAHRAIN’s efforts to eliminate human trafficking will come under the spotlight at the UN next week.
Chairman of the national committee for combating human trafficking, Shaikh Abdul Aziz bin Mubarak Al Khalifa, has been invited to make a presentation at the thematic meeting of the UN General Assembly in New York on Wednesday.
“I consider it as an opportunity to bring our human rights records to international attention,” Shaikh Abdul Aziz told the GDN.
“I shall talk about the committee’s successful efforts to eliminate the practice of human trafficking by implementing the anti-human trafficking law.”
Shaikh Abdul Aziz said the first prosecution under the law took place in December last year.
“A foreign woman, working as a waitress in a hotel, was jailed for three years for encouraging prostitution in the country,” he said.
Shaikh Abdul Aziz said the abolition of the sponsorship system was the latest measure un-dertaken by the government as part of eliminating human trafficking.
He said the committee would make every effort to ensure that expatriate workers are treated in Bahrain with dignity.
“The committee has representatives from various ministries, including the ministries of Interior, Labour, Justice, Information and Foreign Affairs,” he said.
“This helps us to forward complaints from workers brought to our attention directly to the concerned ministries or departments.
“For example, if there is a case to prosecute a sponsor, it will be brought to the notice of the Justice Ministry to ensure that justice is done without delay.”
Cases of sponsors harassing the workers will be taken up with the Interior Ministry and non-payment of salary will be brought to the notice of the Labour Ministry, said Shaikh Abdul Aziz, who is also the Foreign Ministry assistant under-secretary.
“The committee now meets once a month, and reviews its activities,” he added. “A public awareness campaign will be strengthened with the support of the Information Ministry.”
“Leaflets in different languages will be distributed in various places.”
The committee had so far received very few complaints, said Shaikh Abdul Aziz.
“The committee will expand its activities in the new year to help workers in distress and stop all forms of human trafficking in Bahrain,” he added.
The US State Department’s annual Trafficking in Persons Report rated Bahrain last year in the Tier 2 category based on its “significant efforts” to address trafficking and on future pledges.
It urged Bahrain to stop deporting victims of human trafficking and to set up a shelter to provide them with medical and psychological care.
The US State Department is required by law to submit an annual report each year to Congress on foreign governments’ efforts to eliminate severe forms of human trafficking.
The aim is to raise global awareness as well as highlight and encourage efforts by the international community to combat the problem. soman@gdn.com.bh
——————————————————————————–
© Gulf Daily News
http://www.gulf-daily-news.com/NewsDetails.aspx?storyid=250159
