Bahrain’s War on Crime: A Mixed Bag of Successes and Failures

Manama, Bahrain - The Gulf kingdom has been praised for its efforts to tackle organized crime, but despite progress, experts say the country still struggles with corruption, transparency, and human rights abuses.

Combating Organized Crime: Progress and Challenges

Bahrain has made significant strides in combating organized crime by participating in international anti-crime initiatives and partnering with regional and global authorities. The government has also implemented a robust legislative framework to counter criminal activity.

However, critics argue that these efforts have not been enough to effectively address drug markets, which remain a major challenge for the country. Additionally:

• Bahrain’s laws on arms trafficking and wildlife protection are criticized for being too lenient.
• Its Kafala system, which regulates foreign worker visas, has been accused of facilitating human trafficking.

Judicial System Concerns

Bahrain’s judicial system has come under scrutiny, with concerns over:

• Corruption
• Political pressure
• Lack of transparency

Human rights organizations have raised alarm over reports of:

• Torture
• Abuse
• Medical negligence in Bahrain’s prisons

Since the 2011 protests, conditions in Bahrain’s prisons have worsened.

Police Abuse and Impunity

Bahrain’s location as an island nation has helped reduce trafficking in and out of the country. However:

• Widespread police abuse remains a major concern.
• The government has been accused of failing to adequately investigate cases of modern slavery and other human rights abuses.

Economic Challenges

On the economic front, Bahrain is seen as a moderate risk for money laundering and terrorist financing. Authorities have implemented tighter regulations to combat these threats. However:

• The size of the country’s informal sector remains unclear.
• Its heavy dependence on oil revenues makes it vulnerable to fluctuations in global energy prices.

Ongoing Challenges

Despite some progress in combating modern slavery and human trafficking, Bahrain still faces challenges in other areas, such as:

• Preventing illegal trade in pets and animal products
• Exercising strict control over the media, restricting press freedom, and monitoring non-state organizations

Experts warn that Bahrain’s failure to address these issues could have long-term consequences for its economy, political stability, and human rights record. As the country continues to navigate these challenges, it is clear that more needs to be done to ensure a safer, more just, and transparent society for all.