Bahrain is set to host a major regional conference next month aimed at strengthening efforts to combat human trafficking.
The seventh Governmental Forum to Combat Trafficking in Persons in the Middle East will be held in Manama under the auspices of the Labour Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA).
While the dates and programme have yet to be announced, preparations were reviewed during a virtual meeting chaired by LMRA chief executive and National Committee to Combat Trafficking in Persons chairman Nibras Taleb.
“Participants discussed arrangements for the forum and ways to further enhance its role as a regional platform for exchanging expertise, sharing successful practices and promoting co-operation among Middle East countries in combating human trafficking,” the LMRA said in a statement yesterday.
GCC representatives and experts at last year’s forum held in Kuwait.
Last year’s forum was hosted by Kuwait, where GCC Secretary-General Jasem Al Budaiwi noted that all Gulf states had ratified the Palermo Protocol on Trafficking in Persons, a key international framework for tackling the crime.
He said the Gulf states have also issued special national laws and established clear mechanisms for protecting victims and prosecuting perpetrators. This includes the creation of national committees and bodies; the provision of shelters, hotlines and referral systems for dealing with potential victims and the training of security and judicial personnel. He also pointed to labour market reforms aimed at safeguarding expatriate workers through stronger wage protection systems and better contract regulation.
During the meeting, Mr Taleb reviewed Bahrain’s efforts to combat trafficking and strengthen preventive and protective mechanisms. He also welcomed the Interior Ministry’s recently launched scientific research award in the field, describing it as an important initiative that would support specialised studies and help shape national policies.
Bahrain has maintained its top ranking in combating human trafficking for the eighth consecutive year, and is placed in the Tier 1 status – the only GCC country recognised as being fully compliant with the Trafficking Victims Protection Act’s (TVPA) minimum standards for the elimination of human trafficking.
The Trafficking in Persons (TIP) 2025 Report highlighted Bahrain’s law enforcement efforts, noting an increase in convictions of traffickers.
The kingdom has constantly moved up in the annual assessment, from being in Tier 3 in 2011 to maintaining a Tier 1 rating since 2018.
The 25th edition of the annual report featured narratives on 188 countries and territories, and covers the period from April 1, 2024 to March 31, 2025. It stated that Bahrain’s Interior Ministry investigated 44 cases involving 101 alleged traffickers – 12 for sex trafficking and 32 for labour trafficking – compared with 54 investigations in the previous reporting period.
Members of the public can report anti-trafficking cases via hotline 555, operations room 999, or email 555@interior.gov.bh, with full confidentiality guaranteed. The hotline is available in Arabic, English, Hindi and Urdu.
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