AlAlawi met Acting Director of Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons (J/TIP) of the U.S. Department of State .. AlAlawi: The U.S. is a Main Partner to Bahrain in the Field of Combating Trafficking in Persons. We are Determined to Expand the Prospects of Cooperation with the U.S.

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H.E. Mr. Jamal Abdulaziz AlAlawi, the Chief Executive Officer of the Labour Market Regulatory Authority met Dr. Kari Johnstone, Acting Director of the Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons (J/TIP) of the U.S. Department of State. Several topics of interest were discussed during the meeting, including the issuance of Decision No. (1) of 2022 on the Reformation of the National Committee for Combating Trafficking in Persons (NCCTIPs), enforcing the provisions of Law No. (1) of 2008.

LMRA’s CEO reviewed NCCTIPs’ roles of preventing and combating trafficking in persons, and protecting the victims of the crime. In addition to encouraging and supporting the preparation of research, information, media campaigns and socio-economic initiatives, as well as the coordination with the Kingdom’s authorities to share the related information, presenting reports to relevant international agencies, lastly, following up with relevant authorities on the implementation of the recommendations and directives set forth in conventions, to which the Kingdom of Bahrain is a party.

H.E. Mr. AlAlawi pointed out that the National Human Rights Plan includes several focal points to further promote the efforts of combating trafficking in persons, which includes a comprehensive anti-trafficking mechanism. “The plan reflects the approach adopted by the Kingdom’s Leadership, emphasizing on the cruciality of human rights.”

LMRA’s CEO added that the plan also includes a focal point related to capacity building of human rights’ personnel, which is embodied in the Regional Centre of Excellence and Capacity Building for Combatting Trafficking in Persons. H.E. Mr. AlAlawi emphasized on the effectiveness of the partnership with the U.S in the field of training. “This reflects the Kingdom of Bahrain’s commitment to preserve its prominent status, both regionally and globally”. “This is shown in one of the Kingdom’s recent achievements, which is preserving Tier-1 in the U.S. Department of State’s TIP Report for four consecutive years, as well as showcasing Bahrain’s experience in combating trafficking in persons as a prime example” H.E. Mr. AlAlawi continued.

On the other hand, Acting Director of the Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons (J/TIP) of the U.S. Department of State, Dr. Kari Johnstone, hailed Bahrain’s unrelenting efforts in combating the crime as well as upholding justice and fairness to migrant workers, and promoting their rights. On that regard, she highlighted the commendations that Bahrain received through international reports, including the U.S. Department of State’s TIP Report, in which the Kingdom of Bahrain was ranked as Tier-1 for four consecutive years.

The meeting was concluded by discussing the prospects of expanding the cooperation between the Kingdom of Bahrain and the United States, being one of the Kingdom’s main partners in the field of combating trafficking in persons. “Such expansion could be attained through sharpening the skills and unlocking the potentials of the national cadres in relevant authorities, to ultimately develop the standards of the efforts and preserve Bahrain’s prominent status.” H.E. Mr. AlAlawi concluded.