The General Directorate of Criminal Investigation and Forensic Science organised a national workshop to mark the World Day Against Trafficking in Persons. The workshop was opened by Brigadier Abdulwahab Rashid Bu Nashi, Director of the Anti-Human Trafficking and Public Morality Protection Directorate, who said that Bahrain's eight consecutive years in Tier 1 of the international rankings were achieved through sustained institutional efforts and close cooperation among relevant authorities, rather than by chance or isolated decisions.
The workshop, titled "Human Trafficking Crime and the Kingdom's Efforts to Combat It," brought together 102 specialists representing nine national and international organisations. It was held as Bahrain maintained its Tier 1 ranking in the US Department of State's Trafficking in Persons Report for the eighth consecutive year, becoming the first Arab country to achieve and sustain this classification.
The Director of the Anti-Human Trafficking Directorate expressed appreciation to the Chair and members of the National Committee to Combat Trafficking in Persons for the fruitful cooperation among all participating entities. He said these efforts reflect the Ministry of Interior's commitment to upholding human rights without discrimination, in line with the Kingdom's principles and its authentic Arab and Islamic values.
The workshop focused on four key pillars: legislation, prosecution, protection and prevention.
On legislation, participants highlighted Law No. (1) of 2008 on Combating Trafficking in Persons as the legal framework underpinning Bahrain's anti-trafficking mechanisms. The law also established the National Committee to Combat Trafficking in Persons to coordinate efforts among the relevant authorities.
The workshop concluded with a panel discussion recommending the continued strengthening of coordination among national authorities, expanding public awareness of the indicators of human trafficking and reporting mechanisms, enhancing the capabilities of specialised personnel, encouraging early reporting as a cornerstone of victim protection, and promoting the exchange of expertise with international partners to preserve Bahrain's leading position and further strengthen the national anti-trafficking framework.