Manama, Aug. 7 (BNA): Interior Minister, General Shaikh Rashid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa, today chaired a working group meeting tasked with following up on the remark made in the report of the US State Department.

The report shows Bahrain’s success in maintaining its Tier 1 status in combating trafficking in persons for the fifth year in a row.

The meeting was part of the care of the government, led by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, to reinforce human trafficking combating efforts and implement the Executive Committee’s decision.

The Interior Minister asserted the high-profiled international and human rights accomplishment as part of the reforms approach of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa. He said the achievement was part of sincere national efforts to protect law enforcement, human rights and freedoms.

He hailed the support of HRH the Crown Prince and Prime Minister for active initiatives and programmes for Bahrain to reach this advanced level.

The meeting reviewed national efforts that assert the continuation of the reinforcement of such national and international achievements and to take steps to protect the advanced ranking of the Kingdom.

The meeting highlighted statistics for the first half of 2022, in which 25 cases with human trafficking suspicions were reported compared to 29 cases in the same period last year.

The Shelter Centre received potential human trafficking victims and provided comprehensive care without exception. The beneficiaries of the services from April 2021 to March 2022 reached 138 cases. Multi-language awareness exhibitions were held to mark the World Day Against Trafficking in Persons to reach out to the most significant number of people.

The Interior Minister thanked all concerned authorities, especially the National Committee for Combating Trafficking in Persons, for their sincere efforts in dealing with related cases and being committed to legal standards. He highlighted the importance of coordinating national anti-human trafficking efforts.