Prostitution In Bahrain: Is It Legal Or Illegal?

Prostitution in Bahrain is illegal, but the country has gained a reputation as a major destination for sex tourism. The Bahrain Youth Society for Human Rights reported that there were over 13,500 prostitutes in the country in 2007, with the number rising. Sex trafficking is a problem in Bahrain, with women from countries such as Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, the Philippines, Nepal, Egypt, Jordan, and Yemen being subjected to sex trafficking. The Bahraini government has taken steps to combat human trafficking, meeting minimum standards for elimination and demonstrating sustained efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Prostitution is illegal in Bahrain but the country has gained a reputation for it

Prostitution is illegal in Bahrain, but the country has gained a reputation for it. Bahrain has become a major destination for sex tourism in the Middle East, with Manama, the country's capital, being a particular hotspot for prostitution. The Bahrain Youth Society for Human Rights reported that there were over 13,500 prostitutes in the country in 2007, and the number was rising.

Prostitution in Bahrain is often associated with bars and hotels, but it also occurs in malls and on the streets. The prostitutes come from various countries, including Russia, Thailand, the Philippines, Ethiopia, Bangladesh, China, and South Korea. Each hotel or bar tends to have prostitutes of a single nationality. In some cases, women go door-to-door in hotels looking for customers, and the hotels and bars tolerate this as it brings in male customers and boosts alcohol sales.

Many of the customers are Saudis, as Bahrain's laws are less strict than those in Saudi Arabia, especially regarding sex and alcohol. The opening of the Saudi causeway in 1986 led to an increase in Saudi visitors seeking more relaxed attitudes towards sex and alcohol, which, in turn, increased the demand for prostitution.

Despite prostitution being illegal, Google Maps marks the many bars where sex is sold, and the trade is unbridled in the bars attached to hotels. The freedom with which prostitution occurs in Bahrain is surprising, given its status as a Muslim country.

The issue of prostitution is divisive in Bahrain. The country's majority Shia population opposes it on religious grounds, while the Sunni-ruled Shura Council, the upper house of the legislature, has revoked bills to prohibit alcohol, which is closely linked to prostitution venues.

Bahrain has taken some steps to address prostitution and trafficking. In 2009, after being listed as one of the top "sin cities" in the world, a crackdown resulted in the arrest of 300 prostitutes and pimps within the first week. Additionally, the country has laws in place to prosecute those involved in prostitution and trafficking, and there have been isolated prosecutions. However, there is a perception that authorities do not actively address the issue to maintain the tourism and economic benefits associated with the sex industry.

The country's Aliens Act also allows immigration officials to deny entry to individuals convicted of prostitution elsewhere, citing "health reasons."

Sex tourism is common in Manama, Bahrain's capital

In 2007, the Bahrain Youth Society for Human Rights reported that there were over 13,500 prostitutes in the country, with the number rising. Sex trafficking is a significant issue in Bahrain, with women from various countries, including Bangladesh, India, and the Philippines, being subjected to sex trafficking.

Manama, in particular, is known for its sex tourism. Most prostitution occurs in bars and hotels, but it can also be found in malls and on the streets. Foreign prostitutes, particularly from Russia, Thailand, the Philippines, Ethiopia, Bangladesh, China, and South Korea, are common in Manama. Each hotel or bar often caters to a specific nationality of prostitutes.

The sex trade in Manama is fuelled by customers from Saudi Arabia, where laws regarding sex and alcohol are stricter. The demand for prostitution in Manama increased after the Saudi causeway opened in 1986, providing easier access to Bahrain's more relaxed laws.

In 2009, Manama was ranked 8th in the top 10 "sin cities" globally by AskMen magazine, leading to a crackdown on prostitution. Despite this, sex tourism remains prevalent in Manama, with hotels and bars tolerating the presence of prostitutes as it boosts their businesses.

The issue of sex tourism in Manama is divisive. While some view it as essential for the tourist industry, others, like the Bahrain's majority Shia population, oppose it on religious grounds. The conflicting views between the Shia-ruled parliament and the Sunni-ruled Shura Council have resulted in a lack of effective measures to eradicate prostitution.

While prostitution is illegal, the authorities' response is often limited to occasional raids and deportations, with vested interests protecting the industry. As a result, Manama continues to be a hub for sex tourism, attracting visitors from around the Gulf.

Prostitutes in Bahrain are mostly foreign nationals

Prostitution is illegal in Bahrain, but the country has gained a reputation 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. Sex trafficking is a significant issue in Bahrain, and most prostitutes are foreign nationals. The country has become a destination for women from countries such as Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, the Philippines, Nepal, Egypt, Jordan, Yemen, Thailand, Syria, and Kenya, who are subjected to sex trafficking.

Prostitution in Bahrain is prevalent in bars and hotels, with some prostitutes, mainly Russian, soliciting in malls. Each hotel or bar tends to have prostitutes of one nationality, and in some cases, women go door-to-door in guest rooms to find customers. The prostitution business is tolerated by hotels and bars as it brings in male customers and boosts alcohol sales. Many of the customers are Saudis, who cross over from Saudi Arabia, where laws are stricter, to indulge in sex and alcohol.

The Australian bar in Bahrain is synonymous with prostitution, with Filipino and Chinese women soliciting male customers. The women are direct in their approach, negotiating prices for sex within minutes of interaction. The bars attached to hotels are particularly notorious for prostitution, with the street trade being relatively discreet in comparison.

One notable aspect of prostitution in Bahrain is the specialisation of nationalities in different bars and hotels. For example, the Platinum bar at the four-star Golden Tulip hotel features only Russian women, while other establishments may 'specialise' in Thai, Filipino, Arabic, Bangladeshi, or Chinese women. This specialisation is indicative of the organised nature of prostitution in the country.

While prostitution is illegal, the authorities have been accused of turning a blind eye to the issue as it boosts the tourism industry. However, there have been occasional crackdowns, such as in 2009, when Bahrain was listed as one of the top "sin cities" in the world. During that crackdown, 300 prostitutes and pimps were arrested within the first week. Despite these efforts, prostitution persists, and Bahrain continues to be a destination for foreign nationals exploited through sex trafficking.

Sex trafficking is a problem in Bahrain

The country has a high number of foreign prostitutes, and most prostitution occurs in bars and hotels, with some street prostitution also taking place. Many of the customers are Saudis, who come to Bahrain to take advantage of its more relaxed laws regarding sex and alcohol.

Sex trafficking is a significant issue, with women from various countries, including Thailand, the Philippines, Morocco, Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, Russia, China, Vietnam, and South Korea, being subjected to forced prostitution. In 2023, the Organised Crime Index gave Bahrain a score of 8 out of 10 for human trafficking, noting an increase in the number of victims.

The Bahrain Government's Labor Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA) found that 65% of migrant workers had not seen their employment contract, and 89% were unaware of their terms of employment upon arrival in the country. Labor recruitment agencies in Bahrain and source countries often require workers to pay high recruitment fees, making them vulnerable to forced labor and exploitation.

The Bahraini government has made some efforts to combat sex trafficking, meeting the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking. They have established a specialized trafficking Public Prosecutor's Office and High Court, convicted complicit government officials, and increased efforts to protect vulnerable migrants. However, the government has been criticized for not proactively identifying victims of all forms of trafficking and for treating some cases of forced labor as labor law violations rather than potential trafficking crimes.

The government has also been criticized for not providing adequate protective services to victims of trafficking, particularly migrant domestic workers who have left their employers or women arrested for prostitution. These individuals may be charged with employment or immigration violations, detained, and deported without access to essential protective services.

Overall, sex trafficking remains a significant problem in Bahrain, and despite some efforts by the government to address the issue, more needs to be done to protect vulnerable individuals and bring traffickers to justice.

Alcohol and prostitution are divisive issues in Bahrain

The Bahrain Youth Society for Human Rights reported that there were over 13,500 prostitutes in the country in 2007, with the number rising. Most prostitutes are foreign and work in bars and hotels, with each venue usually hosting one nationality. Prostitution is common in Manama, with some street prostitution also taking place.

Bahrain's liberal laws on alcohol and prostitution are considered vital to the tourist industry by the King. However, the country's majority Shia population opposes alcohol and prostitution on religious grounds, creating a divide. While the Shia-ruled parliament has passed bills to prohibit alcohol, these have been revoked by the Sunni-ruled Shura Council.

The sale of alcohol and sex are issues that could cause trouble during elections. Vested interests in the hotel and restaurant trade support the continued sale of alcohol and, by extension, the venues where prostitution takes place. An industry representative described alcohol prohibition as "a precursor to driving foreign investments out of the country".

Economic, political, and moral grievances among the Shia population have led to riots and a feeling of exclusion. The parliament is seen as ineffective, as demonstrated by the bills to ban alcohol and prostitution being overturned.

Women who work as prostitutes in Bahrain are in a legal limbo. They work illegally and without protection, or they are entrapped and exploited. The Sunni leadership's legalisation and regulation of the sex trade would be a highly divisive step, and migrant workers' rights are not a priority on the political agenda. As a result, the status quo is likely to persist, and Bahrain will continue to be a destination for trafficked and exploited women.

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