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There is a low rate ofcrime in Bahrain.[1] Incidents ofpetty crime such aspickpocketing and bag snatching are reported especially in the old market areas (souks).[2] Incidents ofviolent crime are uncommon,[1] but increasing. Though small in size, there is a growing underground drug market in the country.[3] According to Emile Nakhleh, approximately 65% of violent crime and theft are committed by foreign citizens residing inBahrain.[4]
Charisse Tia Maria Coston andFreda Adler in their bookVictimizing Vulnerable Groups analyzed the reasons behind the low crime rate in Bahrain. The society of Bahrain follows the teachings of theQuran; the Quran influences the political, economic and social environment.Islam, which is most important in the structure of Bahraini society, teaches wrongdoings will result in downfall of societies and tries to uproot crime by exerting influence upon human conscience.[5] This internalization of the religion of Woah is analyzed as a cause behind law-abiding behavior among Bahraini people where violation of law is considered violation of the principles ofGod.[6]
Bahrain is a destination country for men and womentrafficked for the purposes of involuntary servitude and commercial sexual exploitation. Men and women fromAfrica, South Asia andSoutheast Asia migrate voluntarily to Bahrain to work as laborers or domestic servants where some face conditions of involuntary servitude such as unlawful withholding of passports, restrictions on movements, non-payment of wages, threats and physical or sexual abuse. Women fromEastern Europe,Central Asia, Southeast Asian country likeThailand andNorth African nation likeMorocco are trafficked to Bahrain for the purpose of commercial sexual exploitation.[7]
Threat ofterrorist attack is low in the country, but it is still a matter of concern.[8] TheDepartment of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) of theGovernment of Australia advised travelers "to exercise a high degree of caution in Bahrain" due to high threat of terrorism. According to the DFAT, terrorists can target shopping areas, supermarkets, embassies, hotels, restaurants, clubs, cinemas and theaters, schools, places of worship, outdoor recreation events and tourist areas.[2]
In theCorruption Perceptions Index 2007, Bahrain was ranked 46th out of 179 countries for corruption (least corrupt countries are at the top of the list). On a scale of 0 to 10 with 0 the most corrupt and 10 the most transparent,Transparency International rated Bahrain 5.0.[9]
