Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09MANAMA84
2009-02-12 14:27:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Manama
Cable title:
BAHRAIN'S FIRST TIP CONVICTION
how-toVZCZCXRO0241 RR RUEHDE RUEHDIR DE RUEHMK #0084 0431427 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 121427Z FEB 09 FM AMEMBASSY MANAMA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 8435 INFO RUEHZM/GULF COOPERATION COUNCIL COLLECTIVE RUEHBK/AMEMBASSY BANGKOK 0321 RHBVAKS/COMUSNAVCENT RHMFIUU/HQ USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL
UNCLAS MANAMA 000084
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
DEPARTMENT FOR G/TIP, DRL, AND NEA/ARP
BAGHDAD FOR AMBASSADOR ERELI
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV KTIP PHUM KCRM BA
SUBJECT: BAHRAIN'S FIRST TIP CONVICTION
REF: 08 MANAMA 777
UNCLAS MANAMA 000084
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
DEPARTMENT FOR G/TIP, DRL, AND NEA/ARP
BAGHDAD FOR AMBASSADOR ERELI
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV KTIP PHUM KCRM BA
SUBJECT: BAHRAIN'S FIRST TIP CONVICTION
REF: 08 MANAMA 777
1. (SBU) Bahrain's Public Prosecution reported to us on
January 20 that Arfa Ching, a Thai national, was convicted on
one count of trafficking in persons on December 23. The
three-judge panel sentenced her to three and a half years'
imprisonment and fined her BD 5,000 (USD 13,250). MFA
Undersecretary Abdulaziz bin Mubarak Al Khalifa, who chairs
the GOB's interagency anti-TIP committee, confirmed the
conviction in a meeting with A/DCM on February 12, pointing
to the case as a success story for Bahrain's new
anti-trafficking law. Bahraini media did not report on the
outcome of the case.
2. (SBU) Ching's was the first case prosecuted under
Bahrain's Law to Combat Trafficking in Persons, enacted in
January 2008. According to prosecutors, she brought three
Thai women to Bahrain under false pretenses. When they
learned she intended to employ them as prostitutes, one of
them contacted authorities, who arrested Ching. The sentence
exceeded the minimum sentencing guideline of three years'
imprisonment and BD 1,000 (USD 2,650).
********************************************* ********
Visit Embassy Manama's Classified Website:
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/manama/
********************************************* ********
HENZEL
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
DEPARTMENT FOR G/TIP, DRL, AND NEA/ARP
BAGHDAD FOR AMBASSADOR ERELI
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV KTIP PHUM KCRM BA
SUBJECT: BAHRAIN'S FIRST TIP CONVICTION
REF: 08 MANAMA 777
1. (SBU) Bahrain's Public Prosecution reported to us on
January 20 that Arfa Ching, a Thai national, was convicted on
one count of trafficking in persons on December 23. The
three-judge panel sentenced her to three and a half years'
imprisonment and fined her BD 5,000 (USD 13,250). MFA
Undersecretary Abdulaziz bin Mubarak Al Khalifa, who chairs
the GOB's interagency anti-TIP committee, confirmed the
conviction in a meeting with A/DCM on February 12, pointing
to the case as a success story for Bahrain's new
anti-trafficking law. Bahraini media did not report on the
outcome of the case.
2. (SBU) Ching's was the first case prosecuted under
Bahrain's Law to Combat Trafficking in Persons, enacted in
January 2008. According to prosecutors, she brought three
Thai women to Bahrain under false pretenses. When they
learned she intended to employ them as prostitutes, one of
them contacted authorities, who arrested Ching. The sentence
exceeded the minimum sentencing guideline of three years'
imprisonment and BD 1,000 (USD 2,650).
********************************************* ********
Visit Embassy Manama's Classified Website:
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/manama/
********************************************* ********
HENZEL