Second Annual Report of the National Institution for Human Rights (NIHR) 2014 - Kingdom of Bahrain 12. The National Anti-Trafficking in Persons Committee was assigned to develop programs on preventing and combating trafficking in Persons, protecting victims of this crime, encouraging and supporting the preparation of research, information, media campaigns and social and economic initiatives to prevent and combat trafficking in Persons, coordinating with the state agencies regarding the information about this crime, participating with the competent authorities in the preparation of the reports to be submitted to the relevant international parties on the measures that have been taken in this regard, and following up the implementation by the competent government agencies of the recommendations and guidelines set out in the relevant conventions and protocols to which the Kingdom is a party. The Committee is assigned to submit annual reports that include the results of its work and recommendations to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and to inform the concerned authorities of those recommendations. 13. To complement the provisions of the Law, the “Committee to assess the status of foreign victims of trafficking in persons” has been formed under the decision of the Minister of Social Development No. 30 of 2008, which was reconstituted under Resolution No. 20 of 2011 and Resolution No. 11 of 2013 to include representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Nationality, Passports & Residence affairs of the Ministry of Interior, the Ministry of Social Development, and the Labor Market Regulatory Authority. This Committee was granted the mandate to remove any obstacles to the foreigners’ employment, if it is found that they need employment. The Committee may coordinate with the Ministry of Interior to return the foreigner to the country of his citizenship or to his place of residence in any other country upon his request. The Committee may also recommend if his stay in the country is necessary and to correct his legal conditions to allow him to take up employment. The Committee may also review all reports on the victim and to hear his statements or those of his legal representative. 14. In the context of providing the necessary protection to the victims of trafficking in Persons through the provision of shelters for victims of this crime, “Dar Al-Aman” was established in 2006 to accommodate one hundred and twenty six cases of women with their children who were exposed to violence and abuse, including victims of trafficking in Persons. The necessary care and rehabilitation services are provided to rebuild the victim personality and to ensure the proper integration and adjustment of the victim. In addition, “Dar Al-Karama Social Care“ for accommodating beggars and vagrants was established in 2007. “Child Protection Center” was established in 2007, which is concerned with protection of child victims of trafficking in Persons, as well as with cases of physical, psychological, and sexual abuse and severe neglect75. 15. In order to complement institutional building efforts, a special division at the Ministry of the Interior concerned with fighting trafficking in persons was established. This unit reports to the General Directorate of Investigations and Criminal Evidence, and plays an active role in the search, investigation and arrest of the perpetrators of this crime, bringing them to investigation, and opening a hot line to receive communications and complaints related to the crime of trafficking in persons. In addition, it has a role in raising the community awareness about this crime through various media outlets. 16. With regard to the provisions of Law No. 1 of 2008 on Combating Trafficking in Persons, NIHR believes that the Law lists the forms of trafficking in Persons. It expands to include sexual exploitation, child labor, and trafficking in human organs, with severe punishment in cases that require aggravation. Further, it expands the indictment to include legal persons, imposes imprisonment and penalty, and considers the trafficked person as a “victim” who does not require punishment. In addition, the Law pays attention to the victims of trafficking in Persons by stating that they should be placed in medical or psychological rehabilitation 75 For further information, visit the website of the Ministry of Social Development on the following link: http://www.social.gov.bh 68