Keep Us Strong WikiLeaks logo

Currently released so far... 51122 / 251,287

Articles

Browse latest releases

Browse by creation date

Browse by origin

A B C D F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W Y Z

Browse by tag

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Browse by classification

Community resources

courage is contagious

Viewing cable 09MANAMA652, BAHRAIN: INTERIM REPORT ON HUMAN TRAFFICKING

If you are new to these pages, please read an introduction on the structure of a cable as well as how to discuss them with others. See also the FAQs

Understanding cables
Every cable message consists of three parts:
  • The top box shows each cables unique reference number, when and by whom it originally was sent, and what its initial classification was.
  • The middle box contains the header information that is associated with the cable. It includes information about the receiver(s) as well as a general subject.
  • The bottom box presents the body of the cable. The opening can contain a more specific subject, references to other cables (browse by origin to find them) or additional comment. This is followed by the main contents of the cable: a summary, a collection of specific topics and a comment section.
To understand the justification used for the classification of each cable, please use this WikiSource article as reference.

Discussing cables
If you find meaningful or important information in a cable, please link directly to its unique reference number. Linking to a specific paragraph in the body of a cable is also possible by copying the appropriate link (to be found at theparagraph symbol). Please mark messages for social networking services like Twitter with the hash tags #cablegate and a hash containing the reference ID e.g. #09MANAMA652.
Reference ID Created Released Classification Origin
09MANAMA652 2009-11-16 09:52 2011-08-24 01:00 UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY Embassy Manama
VZCZCXRO8816
RR RUEHDE RUEHDH RUEHDIR
DE RUEHMK #0652/01 3200952
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 160952Z NOV 09
FM AMEMBASSY MANAMA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 9010
INFO RUEHZM/GULF COOPERATION COUNCIL COLLECTIVE
RHBVAKS/COMUSNAVCENT
RHMFIUU/HQ USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 MANAMA 000652 
 
SIPDIS 
SENSITIVE 
 
STATE FOR NEA/RA AND G/TIP 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PHUM PGOV KWMN KCRM BA
SUBJECT: BAHRAIN: INTERIM REPORT ON HUMAN TRAFFICKING 
 
REF: STATE 112489 
 
1. (SBU) Following is Embassy Manama's submission for the 
required interim report on human trafficking, and addresses 
the specific areas of focus outlined in reftel paragraph 6B. 
 
----------------------------- 
Investigation and Prosecution 
----------------------------- 
 
2. (SBU) Bahrain's last prosecution under the 2008 
anti-trafficking law resulted in the conviction of a Thai 
national in December 2008.  While the GOB has not brought any 
new prosecutions under that law, it appears to be pursuing 
trafficking-related offenses with prosecution under other 
chapters of the criminal code.  On November 12, Minister of 
Justice and Islamic Affairs Khalid bin Ali Al Khalifa told 
visiting G/TIP Ambassador CdeBaca that the government had 
prosecuted 280 cases this year which could be categorized as 
"trafficking-related."  These included murder, pimping, and 
forced prostitution offenses.  The Minister added that 170 
companies had been prosecuted during the year for labor 
violations relating mostly to conditions of work.  These 
violations included failure to pay salaries, transportation 
of workers in open trucks, and health and safety offenses. 
 
3. (SBU) Ambassador CdeBaca noted that there appeared to be a 
disconnect in the GOB interpretation of trafficking.  The 
Justice Minister's comments indicated that the GOB believes 
there must be movement of a person from one place to another 
in order to apply anti-trafficking laws.  This is not 
consistent with the USG interpretation that a person can move 
and work legally, only to fall prey to coercion later on that 
would qualify for prosecution under trafficking statutes. 
Ambassador CdeBaca told the Minister he would provide 
examples of U.S. case law for the GOB to examine, and 
suggested a videoconference to bring together U.S. experts 
and Ministry and Public Prosecution officials. 
 
--------------------- 
Victim Identification 
--------------------- 
 
4. (SBU) There does not appear to be a formalized procedure 
for identifying potential trafficking victims.  Currently, 
police refer suspected victims (nearly always women) on an ad 
hoc basis to either the government-run Dar al-Iman shelter or 
to the Migrant Workers Protection Society.  Dar al-Iman is 
open to any female - citizen or expatriate - threatened by 
violence.  It provides pro bono legal assistance to residents 
who may stay for an initial period of three months, which may 
be extended upon review. 
 
--------------------------------------------- --- 
Crimes Committed as a Result of Being Trafficked 
--------------------------------------------- --- 
 
5. (SBU) In the one application of Bahrain's anti-trafficking 
law, the victims were not prosecuted for crimes related to 
having been trafficked.  Both GOB and NGO contacts confirmed 
that the women were referred to protective services and asked 
to be returned home.  More commonly, potential trafficking 
victims are often prosecuted for prostitution or immigration 
violations and quickly deported. 
 
------------------ 
Other Developments 
------------------ 
 
6. (SBU) On August 1, the government implemented reforms 
designed to enable labor mobility for expatriate workers. 
Both the Minister of Labor and the CEO of the Labor Market 
Regulatory Authority (LMRA) told Ambassador CdeBaca that they 
had encountered stiff resistance from the business community 
and would continue to press ahead.  While both acknowledged 
that the system needed fine tuning, they reaffirmed the GOB's 
commitment to allow expatriate workers to change jobs without 
first obtaining permission from their employer.  The upper 
house of parliament rejected a measure that sought to limit 
labor mobility.  The proposal called for expatriate workers 
to remain with their employer for one year or the length of 
the contract (whichever were shorter) before being allowed to 
change jobs.  The upper house also rejected a proposal that 
would have imposed a BD 500 fine (USD 1335) on runaway 
domestics.  The lower house of parliament has passed, and the 
upper house is considering, draft legislation that would 
revise 
160 chapters of the 1976 Labor Law.  Most significantly, the 
 
MANAMA 00000652  002 OF 002 
 
 
proposal would include domestic servants in the law, giving 
them the same legal protections now afforded to other 
expatriate workers - including labor mobility as administered 
by the LMRA. 
 
7. (SBU) In October, a Bahraini man was convicted of murder 
and sentenced to life in prison for killing an Indonesian 
housemaid who worked in his home.  He killed the woman in 
September 2008 after, he claimed, she insulted him and his 
mother.  The man lost his appeal in November and the case is 
now final.  In a separate case, a Bahraini man was convicted 
in April of murdering his Ethiopian housemaid when she 
resisted his sexual advances.  He received a life sentence 
and his appeal continues. 
ERELI