Manama, Bahrain, 6 October 2022. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) conducted a three-day training for immigration officials in cooperation with the Ministry of Interior in Bahrain. This event marked the first training on counter-trafficking organized by IOM and the Ministry of Interior, to capacitate immigration officials to identify and respond to potential situations of human trafficking. The participants included research officers, port specialists and police specialists.

The training was completed in the framework of IOM’s partnership with the Government of Bahrain, under which IOM has been supporting counter-trafficking initiatives in the Kingdom. IOM has been collaborating in recent years with the Kingdom of Bahrain, through curriculum development on human trafficking, under the auspices of the Regional Centre of Excellence and Capacity Building for Combatting Trafficking in Persons.

“The Government of Bahrain remains a key strategic partner for IOM in the Gulf region, demonstrating commitment to the protection of people within its borders, including potential victims of trafficking. Much progress has been made on the UN Strategic and Sustainable Development Framework in Bahrain, and IOM looks forward to even further collaboration with the Ministry of Interior, through mechanisms such as the Global Compact for Migration and the IOM Gulf Strategy,” said Mohamed El Zarkani, IOM Chief of Mission in Bahrain.

His Excellency Interior Ministry Undersecretary for Nationality, Passports and Residence Affairs Shaikh Hisham bin Abdulrahman Al Khalifa praises the existing cooperation with IOM and stresses the importance of these specialized courses that contribute to the Kingdom of Bahrain remaining among the best countries in combating trafficking in persons.  

The participants of this training were equipped with the knowledge and skills to recognize key indicators of vulnerability and exploitation, confirm initial suspicions of trafficking and report them to relevant competent authorities (through the National Referral Mechanism). They were also taught how to apply trauma-informed and victim-centred approaches to care, to protect victims from further harm.

IOM first opened an office in Bahrain in 2018 and remains committed to working with the Government of Bahrain to further prevent and respond to trafficking and lead on innovative counter-trafficking approaches in the region and beyond.