MOFA Undersecretary affirms Bahrain’s effective role in combating trafficking in persons

Bern, Dec. 12 (BNA): Undersecretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Vice-Chairperson of the National Committee to Combat Trafficking in Persons, Dr. Shaikha Rana bint Isa bin Daij Al Khalifa, took part in the seminar organised by the Republic of Belarus in Geneva, under the title "Combating human trafficking in the context of armed conflict". The participation was on the sidelines of the 33rd International Conference of the International Committee of the Red Cross and Red Crescent held in Geneva. The conference aims to highlight the growing phenomenon of trafficking in persons to which civilians, especially women and children are exposed as a result of armed conflicts and civil wars which conflict with all human and moral values and principles of the international humanitarian law. During the panel discussion, Dr. Shaikha Rana stressed in a statement the importance of the sagacious strategic insight of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and his continuous efforts to promote and protect human rights at all levels, and the firm position of the Kingdom of Bahrain on fighting all forms of exploitation and trafficking in persons. She, meantime, affirmed the Kingdom of Bahrain's continuous support for the sincere international efforts to confront this crime and shed more light on it, regardless of the diversity of its images and means, stressing the importance of strengthening international cooperation more than ever before to suppress the phenomenon that feeds on armed conflicts and wars and whose main victims are the most affected group on the humanitarian level. She also highlighted the remarkable success of the Kingdom of Bahrain in creating an effective and distinguished model to be followed at the regional and international levels in terms of plans, programs, legislation and strict executive measures to combat this phenomenon and bring its perpetrators to justice. The key speakers at the event were Oleg Kravchenko, Deputy Foreign Minister of the Republic of Belarus, alongside Mrs. Renate Held, Director of IOM Migration Management Department, Ms. Grainne O'Hara, Director of UNHCR International Protection Division, and Mr. Ilias Chatzis, Chief, UNODC Human Trafficking and Migrant Smuggling Section. The discussion was moderated by Yury Ambrazevich, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Belarus to the United Nations Office and other International Organisations.