Paragraph 31
The slave-trade has been totally prohibited in Bahrain, Qatar and Kuwait… The proclamations issued in Bahrain [1937], Kuwait [1949] and Qatar [1952] are thought to have been completely effective.
Article 13. Work
1. The State guarantees the provision of job opportunities for its citizens and the fairness of work conditions.
2. Compulsory work cannot be imposed on any person except in the cases specified by law for national exigency and for a fair consideration, or pursuant to a judicial ruling.
Article 19a Personal Freedom
a. Personal freedom is guaranteed under the law
The Constitution of the Kingdom of Bahrain 2002 (PDF)
Article 324
Every person who entices a male or a female to commit acts of immorality or prostitution or assists in such acts in any manner whatsoever shall he liable for a prison sentence. If the victim is less than 18 years of age, the punishment shall be a prison sentence for a term not exceeding 5 years.
Article 325
Every person who forces a male or a female to commit acts of immorality or prostitution by way of coercion, threat or deceit shall be liable for imprisonment for a period of no less than 2 years and no more than 7 years. If the victim is less than 18 years of age, the punishment shall be a prison sentence for a period not exceeding 3 years and no more than 10 years.
Article 24: minimum age for work 15 years
Article 27: minimum age for hazardous work 18 years
Minimum age does not apply to children working in certain industries such as domestic work.
Law No.36 of 2012 - Labour Law (PDF)
Article (1)
- For the purpose of implementing the provisions of this Law, trafficking in persons shall mean the recruitment, transportation, transfer, harbouring, or receiving persons, by means of threat or the use of force or other forms of coercion, abduction, fraud, deceit, abuse of power or of position or any other direct or indirect unlawful means.
Exploitation shall include the exploitation of such person or the prostitution of others or any other forms of exploitation, sexual assault, forced labour or services, slavery or practices similar to slavery, servitude or the removal of organs.
- Recruitment, transportation, transfer, harbouring, or receiving of persons who are less than eighteen years of age or who are in a condition or personal state in which their consent or freedom of choice cannot be guaranteed shall be deemed as trafficking in persons if the intent is to exploit them even if such act is not accompanied by any of the means provided for in the preceding paragraph.
- The perpetrator shall be presumed to have knowledge of the real age of the victim who is not eighteen years of age.
Article (2)
Without prejudice to any harsher penalty prescribed by the Penal Code or any other law, any person committing a crime or trafficking in persons shall be punished by imprisonment and a fine of no less than Bahrain Dinars two thousand and not more than Bahrain Dinars ten thousand.
In case of conviction, the perpetrator shall be obliged to pay the costs, including the costs of repatriating the victim to his country where he is a foreigner.
In all cases, the Court shall order the confiscation of the funds, luggage, tools and other items that are used or prepared for use in committing the crime or that resulted therefrom.
Law No.1 of 2008 with Respect to Trafficking in Persons (PDF)
Note: Prohibition of hazardous occupations or activities for children, articles 1 and 2
Note: (article 24) minimum age for voluntary military service 18 years (no conscription)
Note: The Mineral Activities are carried out in accordance with the applicable laws and international standards established in relation to labour, protection of communities and human rights. Forced employment of labour and recruitment of children in Mineral Activities is prohibited.
