Minister of Foreign Affairs and Chairman of the National Human Rights Committee, Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al-Zayani, has praised the Kingdom’s success in strengthening its leadership in the field of protection and promotion of human rights, and consolidating its prestigious international human rights position within the “Tier 1” status for the sixth consecutive year in the US Department of State’s 2023 Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report, which is the highest annual international classification in this field.
On the occasion, the Foreign Minister extended sincere congratulations to His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, and to His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Prime Minister.
He expressed his pride in the kingdom’s success in attaining this human rights achievement, being a renewed global vote of confidence in its advanced constitutional, legislative and judicial systems that consolidate tolerance and peaceful coexistence and safeguard the rights, freedoms and human dignity of all without discrimination on grounds of gender, origin, language, religion or belief.
Dr. Al-Zayani hailed the ongoing cooperation among the legislative, executive and judicial branches, praising their coordination with human rights institutions and the civil society in promoting and protecting human rights and dignity. He also cited the kingdom’s keenness to criminalise the exploitation and ill-treatment of human beings under the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Law (1) of 2008, and other laws compatible with the Kingdom’s accession to seven of the nine major international human rights instruments.
He paid tribute to the Interior Minister, General Shaikh Rashid bin Abdulla Al Khalifa, for his efforts in the field of law enforcement.
In this regard, he commended the Interior Minister’s support for the Directorate of Combating Human Trafficking and Protection of Public Morals at the General Directorate of Criminal Investigations and Forensic Evidence, by enabling it to perform its duties efficiently in combating crimes, receiving complaints, conducting investigations to apprehend suspects and referring them to the Public Prosecution, implementing the criminal system project, spreading media awareness, communicating with embassies and consulates.
He also hailed the Interior Minister’s constant support for the efforts of the National Committee for Combating Trafficking in Persons.
He also appreciated the efforts of the Labour Minister and Board of Directors Chairman of the Labour Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA), Jameel bin Mohammed Ali Humaidan, to provide a safe and fair environment in the labour market, implementing integrated measures and procedures to combat trafficking in persons under the rule of law, and following up on the Expat Protection Centre, promoting the achievements of the labour market reform through the implementation of the wage support system, the optional insurance system for domestic workers, the introduction of the labour registration system, and the fight against forced labour.
The Foreign Minister also expressed thanks and appreciation to the National Committee for Combating Trafficking in Persons for its role in enhancing coordination among the ministries of Interior, Justice, Islamic Affairs and Endowments, Foreign Affairs, Social Development and Information, in addition to LMRA.
He also praised the Committee’s cooperation with the judiciary and civil society in combating human trafficking and respect for human rights.
The Foreign Affairs Minister expressed pride in the fruitful cooperation between Bahrain and The United States of America in the human rights, political and development fields, praising the continuous cooperation with the diplomatic and consular missions of brotherly and friendly countries, as well as with the relevant international organisations.
He affirmed that Bahrain will continue its pioneering human rights and humanitarian achievements, in line with its historical values and constitutional fundamentals in preserving and promoting human rights and dignity on the basis of respect, equality and justice, based on the approach of HM the King, and the directives of the government, led by HRH the Crown Prince and Prime Minister.
Source: Bahrain News Agency
