His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa has today received, at Al-Sakhir Palace, heads of delegations participating in the Government Forum to Combat Trafficking in Persons in the Middle East, organized by the National Committee to Combat Trafficking in Persons and the Labor Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA), in cooperation with the International Organization for Migration and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNDOC) in the GCC.

HM the King welcomed the guests of Bahrain and wished them success, taking pride in hosting this importance forum, in a first in the region, describing the event as first-hand opportunity to exchange expertise and practices in the field of combating trafficking in Persons.

He hailed Bahrain†s Tier 1 ranking, for the second consecutive year, as per the US Department of State Trafficking in Persons (TiP) Report, as the first country in the Middle East and North Africa. He lauded the outstanding ranking which, he said, reflects Bahrain†s commitment to international standards, participation in the international community†s drive to combat trafficking in persons and foster the culture of human rights.

He praised the landmark achievement as the fruit of dedicated work and joint coordination between the Foreign Ministry, the National Committee to Combat Trafficking in Persons and the Labour Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA).

He recognized all relevant institutions and competent authorities which adopted key initiatives and viable programmes aimed at turning the Kingdom of Bahrain as a global role model for combating trafficking in persons.

HM the King paid tribute to the people of Bahrain, who have been living, all along the Kingdom†s history, as closely-knit family, welcoming all visitors in the homeland as their friends, thus reflecting their genuine mettle and deep-rooted and long-standing traditions.

He lauded Bahrainis† respect for all people in their country without any discrimination, stressing their keenness on reaching out to all those living on Bahrain†s soil respectfully.

“Protecting Man†s dignity and security is an inalienable human right which is inherent in all religions and international laws”, he said, affirming that Bahrain will always commit to its longstanding heritage that epitomizes human values of justice and equality.

“Bahrain will remain a beacon of moderation, committed to building bridges with all countries in the world, regardless of cultures, religions or faiths”, he said. The audience expressed deepest thanks and appreciation to HM the King for the warm welcomed and the success of the forum, hailing Bahrain†s Tier 1 ranking in the US Department of State Trafficking in Persons (TiP) Report, as the first country in the Middle East and North Africa.