MOFA welcomes US State Department 2018 trafficking in persons report

Manama, June 28 (BNA): The Ministry of Foreign Affairs today welcomed the US State Department 2018 Trafficking in Persons Report (TIP), which upgrades the Kingdom of Bahrain to Tier 1 status. Bahrain is the first country in the region to achieve Tier 1 status and is now recognised alongside the UK, the U.S. and Germany as being fully compliant with the Trafficking Victims Protection Act’s (TVPA) minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking. In response to the report, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Shaikh Khalid bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, welcomed the US State Department’s endorsement of Bahrain’s achievements in combatting human trafficking and reinforcing worker protections The minister affirmed that as a longstanding signatory to the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organised Crime, the Kingdom is committed to working with international partners to tackle all forms of human trafficking and exploitation The minister noted that the successful reforms highlighted in the report are founded on the principles of respect, justice and equality reinforced under the leadership of His Majesty King Hamad The minister spoke of the role of the LMRA, established in 2008 by HRH Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Prime Minister, in driving forward meaningful initiatives that support economic prosperity and social protection The minister concluded by commending the Government Executive Committee, led by HRH the Crown Prince, for their efforts in putting in place the correct structures to support Bahrain’s extensive labour market reform programme