Bahrain's Masseuses: Sex Workers Or Legitimate Massage Therapists?

Bahrain is a country that has gained a reputation in the Middle East as a major destination for sex tourism. While prostitution is illegal in the country, it is prevalent, especially in Manama, where it occurs in bars, hotels, and on the streets. Most prostitutes in Bahrain are foreign, and each hotel or bar tends to have prostitutes of one specific nationality. In some cases, women are lured to Bahrain with promises of decent jobs, such as professional masseuses, but are then forced into prostitution. This has raised concerns about human trafficking in the country.

Thai women are lured to Bahrain with promises of high-paying jobs as masseuses, but end up in the sex trade

Thai women are being lured to Bahrain with promises of high-paying jobs as masseuses, but they are ending up in the sex trade. This is a growing concern, with Thai authorities introducing stricter immigration measures for Thais travelling to Bahrain.

In 2017, the suspicious deaths of two Thai women in Bahrain raised alarm bells. Katnipa Boontien, 21, and Wichuda Sakaew, 24, were found dead within a week of each other. Katnipa died after falling from a building, and Wichuda Sakaew, a mother of three, was found in a hotel pool. The families of both women suspect foul play.

Wichuda's father, Thanapol Sakaew, said his daughter had been persuaded to go to Bahrain to work as a masseuse and earn money for her young family. Katnipa's mother, Boonwat Ngamroop, said her daughter had been promised a job as a bar receptionist with a high income. However, Katnipa told her mother that once she arrived, her passport was confiscated, and she was forced to work.

A staff member of Alliance Anti Traffic, a non-profit working on human trafficking, said that many Thai women have been lured to Bahrain with the promise of legitimate, well-paying jobs as masseuses, only to be forced into the sex trade on arrival. Their passports are taken, and they are told they must pay off debts incurred from transport costs. The source believes there are hundreds of Thai women in this situation.

This is not an issue unique to Bahrain. In the United Arab Emirates, women are also being lured to the country with promises of jobs as masseuses, only to be forced into prostitution. Recruiters often use people from the target's own country to gain their trust, sharing positive stories of life in the UAE.

Women are forced into prostitution through physical threats and debt-related coercion

Women are often forced into prostitution through physical threats and debt-related coercion. This occurs in Bahrain and around the world.

In Bahrain, prostitution is illegal but common, especially in Manama. Women are lured to the country with promises of positions as secretaries, masseuses, or domestic workers. They are often trafficked by their fellow countrymen and women, who appear trustworthy and share positive stories of life in Bahrain. Some women, usually domestic workers, are trafficked after fleeing their abusive employers. Once in Bahrain, their passports are confiscated, and they are locked in small rooms without food or water. They are verbally harassed and physically beaten until they agree to meet with clients.

The Bahrain Criminal Code prohibits prostitution and related activities and imposes prison sentences for those convicted. Despite this, prostitution continues to thrive in the country, fuelled by the demand from tourists, particularly from Saudi Arabia, where the laws are far more strict.

In 2016, two Russian women were deported from Bahrain for their involvement in a sex trafficking ring. They had lured women to the country with promises of work and then forced them into prostitution. This is a common tactic used by traffickers, where victims are promised good jobs or financial assistance, only to be coerced into prostitution through debt bondage or physical threats.

Debt bondage is a significant factor in forcing women into prostitution. Traffickers may offer to pay for transportation to Bahrain or provide living expenses, creating a debt that the women feel obligated to repay. The women are then forced to work in the sex industry to pay off their debts, often in harsh and exploitative conditions.

Similar patterns of coercion and debt bondage are seen in other parts of the world as well. For example, in India, commercial sex workers often take loans from brothel-keepers or moneylenders at high-interest rates. They become trapped in a cycle of debt, unable to leave the industry as their earnings are barely enough to cover their basic needs and loan repayments.

The COVID-19 pandemic has further exacerbated the situation, with many sex workers losing their customers and struggling to survive. They are forced to take on more debt, making it even harder to escape the industry.

Physical threats and violence are also commonly used to coerce women into prostitution. Traffickers and pimps may use guerrilla pimping, which involves violence, threats, intimidation, or aggression to recruit and enslave victims. Women who are already in the sex industry may face physical abuse and torture if they try to escape or refuse to meet their traffickers' expectations.

The combination of debt bondage and physical threats creates a powerful coercive force that traps women in the sex industry. They are manipulated and controlled by their traffickers, who exploit their economic and social vulnerabilities. The impact of these coercive tactics can be seen in Bahrain and other parts of the world, highlighting the need for stronger measures to protect women from being forced into prostitution.

Bahrain's reputation for sex tourism

Bahrain has gained a reputation as a major destination for sex tourism in the Middle East. Despite prostitution being illegal in the country, it is common, especially in the capital, Manama, where most prostitution occurs in bars and hotels.

In 2007, the Bahrain Youth Society for Human Rights reported that there were over 13,500 prostitutes in the country, with the number rising. Most prostitutes in Bahrain are foreign, with women from Russia, Thailand, the Philippines, Ethiopia, Bangladesh, China, and South Korea travelling to the country to work. Each hotel or bar tends to employ one nationality of prostitutes.

Bahrain's more relaxed attitude towards sex and alcohol, in comparison to its neighbouring countries, has made it a popular destination for Saudis. The country's reputation as a sex tourism hotspot has also been fuelled by its vibrant nightlife, luxurious hotels, and unique cultural attractions.

Manama was ranked 8th in the top 10 "sin cities" of the world by AskMen magazine in 2009. This ranking prompted a clampdown, during which 300 prostitutes and pimps were arrested within the first week. However, despite occasional crackdowns and proposals to curb prostitution, Bahrain continues to struggle with its reputation as a destination for sex tourism.

Sex trafficking is a significant problem in Bahrain, with women from various countries, including Thailand, Bangladesh, India, the Philippines, Nepal, and Kenya, being subjected to forced prostitution. In some cases, women are lured to the country with promises of decent jobs, such as professional masseuses or bar receptionists, only to be forced into the sex trade upon their arrival.

The country's reputation as a sex tourism destination has led to concerns about the potential for crime and the exploitation of women. While there have been efforts to address these issues, Bahrain continues to grapple with the perception and reality of being a destination for sex tourism.

Prostitution is common in Bahrain, especially in Manama

Prostitution is illegal in Bahrain, but the country has gained a reputation in the Middle East as a major destination for sex tourism. In 2007, the Bahrain Youth Society for Human Rights reported that there were more than 13,500 prostitutes in the country, with the number rising. Prostitution is common, especially in Manama, where it occurs in bars, hotels, malls, and on the streets.

Most prostitutes in Bahrain are foreign nationals, including Russians, Thais, Filipinos, Ethiopians, Bangladeshis, Chinese, and South Koreans. Each hotel or bar tends to have one nationality of prostitutes. In some cases, women are lured to Bahrain with promises of decent jobs, such as professional masseuses, only to have their passports confiscated and be forced into prostitution. Sex trafficking is a significant problem in the country, with women from various countries, including Thailand, Bangladesh, India, the Philippines, Nepal, Egypt, Jordan, and Kenya, being subjected to sex trafficking in Bahrain.

Prostitution in Bahrain is often associated with the country's bars and hotels, which tolerate the presence of prostitutes as it brings in male customers and increases alcohol sales. Additionally, the relatively relaxed laws in Bahrain compared to neighbouring countries, such as Saudi Arabia, contribute to the demand for prostitution. Many customers are Saudis who cross the border to engage in activities prohibited in their homeland.

Manama, Bahrain's capital, has been specifically noted for its prevalence of prostitution. In 2009, Manama was ranked 8th in the top 10 "sin cities" of the world by AskMen magazine, leading to a crackdown on prostitution. However, despite occasional isolated prosecutions and proposals to restrict visas for certain nationalities, prostitution remains a persistent issue in the country.

Bahrain's efforts to combat human trafficking

Bahrain has taken several measures to combat human trafficking, especially in the wake of international criticism and incidents involving human trafficking that have brought attention to the issue.

In 2004, Bahrain ratified the 2000 UN TIP Protocol, and in 2008, the country passed the anti-trafficking Law No.1, which criminalized sex and labour trafficking, prescribing penalties of three to 15 years' imprisonment and fines ranging from 2,000 to 10,000 Bahraini dinar ($5,310 to $26,530). The law also includes the cost of repatriating victims. The country has also established a specialized Trafficking Public Prosecutor's Office and High Court to handle trafficking cases.

In terms of law enforcement, Bahrain has demonstrated increased efforts, including a more balanced approach to investigating sex and labour trafficking. The Ministry of Interior (MOI) reported investigating 41 potential trafficking cases in one reporting period, with 29 related to sex trafficking and 12 for forced labour. The government also cooperated with other countries in the region to combat trafficking, such as the Philippines, Kazakhstan, and Saudi Arabia.

To protect victims, Bahrain has established the Dar Al Aman shelter, which provides services such as shelter, food, clothing, medical care, and psychological support. The government also provides monthly financial compensation to confirmed trafficking victims and offers a toll-free hotline for reporting trafficking incidents. Additionally, the Labour Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA) has implemented measures to protect migrant workers, such as the "flexible work permit" program, which allows workers to reside and work in Bahrain without a sponsor, reducing their vulnerability to trafficking.

Despite these efforts, there are still concerns about the effectiveness of Bahrain's anti-trafficking measures. The country has been criticized for not adequately investigating and prosecuting forced labour cases and for not proactively identifying victims of all forms of trafficking, especially those vulnerable to forced labour. There are also concerns about the continued involvement of some government officials in human trafficking and the lack of protection for domestic workers, who are particularly vulnerable to exploitation.

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