The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given its approval for a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between India and Bahrain on cooperation for prevention of human trafficking especially trafficking in women and children; rescue, recovery, repatriation and re-integration of victims of trafficking.

This MoU will strengthen the bonds of friendship between the two countries and increase the bilateral cooperation on the issues of prevention, rescue, recovery and repatriation related to human trafficking especially women and children expeditiously. The MoU is expected to be signed during the Home Ministers upcoming visit to Bahrain in the first week of April 2016.

Salient Features of the MoU 

• To strengthen cooperation to prevent to all forms of human trafficking, especially that of women and children and ensure speedy investigation and prosecution of traffickers and organized crime syndicates in either country.
• Taking preventive measures that would eliminate human trafficking in women and children and in protecting the rights off victims of trafficking.
• Anti-trafficking Cells and Task Force will work on both sides to prevent human trafficking.
• Police and other concerned authorities will work in close cooperation and exchange information which can be used to interdict human traffickers.
• The repatriation of victims would be done as expeditiously as possible and home country will undertake the safe and effective re-integration of the victims.
• A Joint Task Force with representatives from both sides would beconstituted to monitor the working of the MoU.