Bahrain Mirror: Bahrain's Nationality, Passports and Residence Affairs (NPRA) denied reports issued on foreign media claiming trafficking of Female Indian nationals in Bahrain, stressing on the island kingdom's commitment to international anti-human trafficking conventions and related national legislation regarding regulations to enter Bahrain.

The NPRA said in a statement on Saturday (May 28, 2016) that that entry into Bahrain was possible through various types of visit visas, in addition to work visas issued in cooperation with the Labour Market Regulatory Authority. All procedures to issue visas are approved in accordance with the individuals' rights, including legal action against violators of rules and laws.

The NPRA urged members of the media to seek information from reliable sources before publishing news, especially the reports that might harm the individuals' rights.

It is noteworthy that the British Independent Newspaper announced that Andhra Pradesh, a member of the Indian Legislative Council, stated that numbers of Indian women working in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia are held in Gulf prions.

Experts estimate that over twenty thousand Indian women have been detained in poor conditions and that there have been complaints of physical abuse, mistreatment, non-payment of salary and denial of fundamental human rights.

More than 25 women currently in Gulf jails have sought help from the their state government in the past few months.

The Member of Legislative Council asked Indian embassies in Gulf countries to interfere in the matter and provide necessary help in terms of food, clothing and shelter.

In response, the Indian government confirmed it would send ministers to Saudi Arabia and Bahrain next month to investigate the conditions migrants are being held in.

Arabic Version