Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06MANAMA2030
2006-12-12 14:18:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Manama
Cable title:
ANTI-TRAFFICKING TASK FORCE CHAIRMAN COMMENTS ON
how-toVZCZCXRO2849 OO RUEHDE RUEHDIR DE RUEHMK #2030 3461418 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 121418Z DEC 06 FM AMEMBASSY MANAMA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 6172 INFO RUEHZM/GULF COOPERATION COUNCIL COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RHBVAKS/COMUSNAVCENT PRIORITY RHMFISS/HQ USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L MANAMA 002030
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR G/TIP, NEA/ARP
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/11/2016
TAGS: PGOV PHUM KWMN BA HUMRIT
SUBJECT: ANTI-TRAFFICKING TASK FORCE CHAIRMAN COMMENTS ON
PROGRESS COMBATING TRAFFICKING
Classified By: DCM Susan L. Ziadeh for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L MANAMA 002030
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR G/TIP, NEA/ARP
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/11/2016
TAGS: PGOV PHUM KWMN BA HUMRIT
SUBJECT: ANTI-TRAFFICKING TASK FORCE CHAIRMAN COMMENTS ON
PROGRESS COMBATING TRAFFICKING
Classified By: DCM Susan L. Ziadeh for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (C) In a December 7 meeting with Emboffs covering several
topics, MFA Assistant Undersecretary for Coordination and
Follow Up and Bahrain's Anti-Trafficking Task Force Chairman
Shaikh Abdul Aziz Bin Mubarak Al Khalifa discussed GOB steps
to combat trafficking-in-persons. He said the November 23
opening of the government-funded shelter was a major
achievement to protect trafficking and family violence
victims. Poloff noted that he and the Ambassador had
attended the opening and toured the shelter, which has
medical and legal professionals on its staff for those who
need such assistance. The shelter presently has capacity for
approximately 80 women and has room to expand as needed.
2. (C) Shaikh Abdul Aziz reviewed the steps the GOB has
taken to introduce anti-trafficking legislation. He recalled
that Ministry of Justice Undersecretary Shaikh Khalid Bin Ali
Al Khalifa had consulted with international experts in
trafficking-in-persons, including an Italian immigration
judge and Dr. Mohamed Mattar of the Protection Project at
Johns Hopkins University, while he drafted new legislation in
line with international standards. Shaikh Abdul Aziz
reminded Emboffs that the legislation has been presented to
the Cabinet, and will be presented to the new parliament
during its next session, which opens December 15.
3. (C) Shaikh Abdul Aziz pointed out that even in the
absence of anti-trafficking legislation, the government had
prosecuted traffickers under existing labor-related and
anti-prostitution legislation. He also said that a Ministry
of Justice judicial reform project has increased the
government's ability to provide statistics on prosecutions.
Shaikh Abdul Aziz mentioned recent visits to Bahrain by UN
Special Rapporteur on Trafficking Sigma Huda and by IOM
director Brunson McKinley, which he said demonstrated the
GOB's willingness to face and address the problem of
trafficking. He also expressed his expectation that the
G/TIP-sponsored IOM training for law enforcement officers and
judges in January 2007 would further equip those on the
ground to fight trafficking.
4. (C) Regarding the G/TIP interim review, Shaikh Abdul Aziz
said going to Tier 3 would be an "unfortunate" outcome
because there have been genuine efforts that have led to real
progress. He speculated that there might be some backlash
from those who have been working hard to bring about change.
They may become discouraged and question the value of their
contribution, saying to themselves that their efforts and
Bahrain's progress are not recognized.
5. (C) Shaikh Abdul Aziz made note of the attention the
United Arab Emirates has received for its recent passage of
trafficking legislation and its plan to host a conference on
trafficking in March 2007. He expressed some frustration
with the irony that the Emirates, a country without an
elected legislature, can enact legislation "with the stroke
of a pen." Shaikh Abdul Aziz said, "We started first, but
the UAE has passed us," referring to the fact that Bahrain
drafted anti-trafficking legislation first and shared it with
other GCC countries as a model.
********************************************* ********
Visit Embassy Manama's Classified Website:
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/manama/
********************************************* ********
MONROE
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR G/TIP, NEA/ARP
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/11/2016
TAGS: PGOV PHUM KWMN BA HUMRIT
SUBJECT: ANTI-TRAFFICKING TASK FORCE CHAIRMAN COMMENTS ON
PROGRESS COMBATING TRAFFICKING
Classified By: DCM Susan L. Ziadeh for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (C) In a December 7 meeting with Emboffs covering several
topics, MFA Assistant Undersecretary for Coordination and
Follow Up and Bahrain's Anti-Trafficking Task Force Chairman
Shaikh Abdul Aziz Bin Mubarak Al Khalifa discussed GOB steps
to combat trafficking-in-persons. He said the November 23
opening of the government-funded shelter was a major
achievement to protect trafficking and family violence
victims. Poloff noted that he and the Ambassador had
attended the opening and toured the shelter, which has
medical and legal professionals on its staff for those who
need such assistance. The shelter presently has capacity for
approximately 80 women and has room to expand as needed.
2. (C) Shaikh Abdul Aziz reviewed the steps the GOB has
taken to introduce anti-trafficking legislation. He recalled
that Ministry of Justice Undersecretary Shaikh Khalid Bin Ali
Al Khalifa had consulted with international experts in
trafficking-in-persons, including an Italian immigration
judge and Dr. Mohamed Mattar of the Protection Project at
Johns Hopkins University, while he drafted new legislation in
line with international standards. Shaikh Abdul Aziz
reminded Emboffs that the legislation has been presented to
the Cabinet, and will be presented to the new parliament
during its next session, which opens December 15.
3. (C) Shaikh Abdul Aziz pointed out that even in the
absence of anti-trafficking legislation, the government had
prosecuted traffickers under existing labor-related and
anti-prostitution legislation. He also said that a Ministry
of Justice judicial reform project has increased the
government's ability to provide statistics on prosecutions.
Shaikh Abdul Aziz mentioned recent visits to Bahrain by UN
Special Rapporteur on Trafficking Sigma Huda and by IOM
director Brunson McKinley, which he said demonstrated the
GOB's willingness to face and address the problem of
trafficking. He also expressed his expectation that the
G/TIP-sponsored IOM training for law enforcement officers and
judges in January 2007 would further equip those on the
ground to fight trafficking.
4. (C) Regarding the G/TIP interim review, Shaikh Abdul Aziz
said going to Tier 3 would be an "unfortunate" outcome
because there have been genuine efforts that have led to real
progress. He speculated that there might be some backlash
from those who have been working hard to bring about change.
They may become discouraged and question the value of their
contribution, saying to themselves that their efforts and
Bahrain's progress are not recognized.
5. (C) Shaikh Abdul Aziz made note of the attention the
United Arab Emirates has received for its recent passage of
trafficking legislation and its plan to host a conference on
trafficking in March 2007. He expressed some frustration
with the irony that the Emirates, a country without an
elected legislature, can enact legislation "with the stroke
of a pen." Shaikh Abdul Aziz said, "We started first, but
the UAE has passed us," referring to the fact that Bahrain
drafted anti-trafficking legislation first and shared it with
other GCC countries as a model.
********************************************* ********
Visit Embassy Manama's Classified Website:
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/manama/
********************************************* ********
MONROE