Through its efforts, the Kingdom of Bahrain was able to become the first MENA country to secure the United States’ State Department’s tier 1 classification in combating human trafficking. Moreover, it is the only MENA country to achieve this classification 6 subsequent times. This undoubtedly reflects the Kingdom’s commitment to maintaining international standards.
The National Committee to Combat Trafficking in Persons is considered one of the most important measures taken by the Kingdom of Bahrain at the national level to combat this scourge. Law No. (1) of 2008 on Combating Trafficking in Persons was issued, which stated in Article (8) the establishment of a committee called the "National Committee to Combat Trafficking in Persons." The committee was formed by a decision of the Minister of Foreign Affairs in 2009, and it was reconstituted in 2015, 2017, and 2022.
The National Committee to Combat Trafficking in Persons is responsible for developing programs to combat trafficking in persons, protecting victims from re-victimization, promoting, and supporting research, information campaigns, social and economic initiatives to prevent trafficking in persons. It also coordinates with state agencies regarding information related to trafficking in persons and monitors the implementation of recommendations and directives in relevant agreements and protocols to combat trafficking in persons, of which the Kingdom is a party. The committee submits a report on this matter to the Minister of Foreign Affairs.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs prioritizes these issues under the umbrella of the Strategic Affairs Sector. The role of the sector is to support the missions of specialized law enforcement agencies within the Kingdom of Bahrain, which aim to hinder and defeat the efforts of internationally extended terrorist organizations that seek to cause collective harm by terrorizing safe communities and financing individuals with extremist ideologies. The sector represents the relevant interests of the Kingdom of Bahrain in agreements, alliances, and international coalitions related to these tasks. It also holds membership in policy-making committees at the national, regional, and international levels that work towards this goal.
The Kingdom of Bahrain criminalizes terrorism, which is defined as the use or threat of force or any other illegitimate means that constitutes a crime punishable by law. Perpetrators resort to terrorism to carry out individual or collective criminal projects with the aim of disturbing public order, endangering the safety and security of the Kingdom, undermining national unity, or harming international society. This is outlined in the Decree-Law No. (4) of 2001 on the prohibition and combating of money laundering and terrorism financing, as amended by Law No. (54) of the year ...., (25) of the year ...., (26) of the year ...., and Law No. (58) of 2006 on protecting society from terrorist acts, amended by Law No. (68) of the year .... and (20) of the year ....
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, through its diplomatic channels, continues to work with the Kingdom's partners and allies to disrupt terrorism financing. This includes identifying and obstructing the sources of terrorism financing, freezing the assets of terrorists and their supporters, preventing terrorists from accessing the international financial system, and protecting legitimate charitable organizations from exploitation by terrorists. Additionally, the ministry focuses on combating extremism in all its forms, which are seen as detrimental to societies and create a state of polarization worldwide.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs reaffirms its commitment to the counterterrorism objectives of the United Nations, its key bodies and specialized agencies, as well as relevant entities such as the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), the Global Coalition Against ISIS, the Counter Terrorism Financing Targeting Center, the Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition, NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization), and all other relevant security organizations with which the Kingdom has entered into partnerships. The ministry actively collaborates with these entities in the fight against terrorism.
National Terrorism List of the Kingdom of Bahrain:
To access the national listings of individuals and entities from the Official Gazette, please visit the following website: https://www.mia.gov.bh/official-gazette-ar
For all individuals and entities listed as terrorists on the national list, they have the right to submit an official request with evidence to have their names removed from the list by contacting the Committee for Combating Extremism, Terrorism, Financing, and Money Laundering.
United Nations Security Council Sanctions Lists:
The Kingdom of Bahrain adheres to its obligations towards the updated consolidated sanctions lists imposed by the United Nations Security Council. To access those lists, you can visit the following link: https://scsanctions.un.org
Individuals and entities who wish to submit a request to the United Nations for the removal of their names from the sanctions list imposed by the Security Council can do so directly by submitting a request, without the requirement of legal assistance, to the Office of the Ombudsperson at the following address:
Office of the Ombudsperson
Room DC2 2206
United Nations
New York, NY 10017
United States of America
Phone: +1 212 963 8226
Email: ombudsperson@un.org
You can also find the submission requirements [here]
The Committee is responsible for monitoring the implementation of all Bahrain's obligations under the treaties and agreements to which the Kingdom has acceded regarding the non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, including chemical, biological, nuclear, and radiological weapons and their delivery systems. It also ensures compliance with relevant resolutions of the United Nations Security Council, agreements concluded with the International Atomic Energy Agency, and regional and international organizations concerned.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs chairs the National Committee, with the membership of several ministries and government entities associated with the technical, legal, and political jurisdiction of the Committee.
It is worth mentioning that the Kingdom of Bahrain is committed to all its declared positions in this regard, and it attaches utmost importance to the Committee's files, aiming towards the establishment of a weapons of mass destruction-free zone, including nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction, in the Middle East.
You can contact us via email at: WMD@mofa.gov.bh
The event is organized by the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The Manama Dialogue hosts hundreds of participants, including senior officials, decision-makers, and strategic thinkers from the public and private sectors across different regions. They gather to share perspectives and opinions on geopolitical developments, challenges, political, military, and security trends. The conference discussions primarily revolve around the Middle East region.