MEASURES TAKEN BY GOB TO COMBAT TRAFFICKING

UNCLAS MANAMA 000469 SIPDIS SIPDIS SENSITIVE DEPT FOR G/TIP, G, INL, DRL, PRM, NEA E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PHUM KWMN ELAB SMIG KFRD KCRM BA HUMRIT SUBJECT: MEASURES TAKEN BY GOB TO COMBAT TRAFFICKING Sensitive but unclassified; please protect accordingly. Not for Internet distribution. ¶1. (U) Post received the following information May 17 under the cover of diplomatic note with reference number 1/100/231-91978 from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Bilateral Relations Directorate. ¶2. (SBU) Begin text of note: Update on the Measures Taken by the Kingdom of Bahrain to Combat Trafficking in Persons May 2007 This document summarizes the latest measures taken by the Government of the Kingdom of Bahrain, through its legislative, executive, and judicial authorities, and civil society institutions, in combating trafficking in persons. Preventive Measures The Ministry of Social Development, in coordination with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, is organizing a symposium on "Trafficking in Persons: A Global and a Local Perspective" to be held on 29th May, 2007, in Bahrain. The symposium aims to raise awareness on the definition of Trafficking In Persons from an international aspect, presented by the International Organization for Migration, and to highlight the measures taken by the Government of Bahrain and civil society in combating human trafficking. Legislative Measures The Government of the Kingdom of Bahrain recognizes the importance of taking legislative measures in prosecuting offenders of human rights, and has thus drafted a law criminalizing human trafficking, which was discussed and unanimously approved by the Cabinet. The draft law has recently been passed to the Parliament to complete the legislative procedures. Protective Measures A Government shelter was inaugurated in November 2006 to provide protection for women of all nationalities who face abuse or become victims of trafficking. Affiliated with the Ministry of Social Development, it provides temporary shelter for abused women, providing them welfare, health and mental care, as well as providing them with assistance and legal counseling. The Ministry of Justice and Islamic Affairs' Judicial and Legal Studies Institute (JLSI),in cooperation with the International Organization for Migration (IOM),and the U.S. Department of State, delivered a two-week Human Trafficking Investigation course to a multi-disciplinary audience of criminal justice system professionals in Manama, from January 7-18, 2007. The Government is currently evaluating, in coordination with the IOM, the extent to which the delivery of the Human Trafficking Investigation course has impacted and improved the Bahrain criminal justice system's response to trafficking in persons in relation to the specific investigative best practice guidance contained in the course. The Government of Bahrain has applied to the International Organization for Migration and its observer status will be announced at a special session of the IOM Council which will be convened on 7th June 2007 in Geneva. End text of note. ¶3. (SBU) Comment: The GOB is aware that the USG will soon announce its TIP rankings and release the TIP report. While the GOB knows that it is too late to influence the report or ranking, it likely sent this summary of measures taken to remind us of its commitment to make further progress on TIP issues. ********************************************* ******** Visit Embassy Manama's Classified Website: http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/manama/ ********************************************* ******** MONROE