National Plan of Action: Launched Collective efforts can translate the law into reality
Bangladesh is a source and transit country for the heinous acts of trafficking of men, women and children. To combat all forms of trafficking the Government of Bangladesh has been making committed efforts through making partnership with NGOs and developing partners. The significant achievement from these efforts is the recently enacted comprehensive anti-trafficking law that is Human Trafficking Deterrence and Suppression Act 2012. To ensure and implement the goals of this law into reality a National Plan of Action outlining the responsibilities of different agencies with respect to planned activities would provide a vital tool for combating human trafficking. In this context, a launching ceremony, of the National Plan of Action to combat Human Trafficking 2012-2014 was held on May 19th in a city hotel by Ministry of Home Affairs, with the support of USAID/Bangladesh and Winrock International. A dialogue was designed to disseminate the “National Plan of Action for Combating Human Trafficking, 2012 2014 and to raise awareness and commitment for effective implementation of NPA and new Trafficking in persons(TIP) law.
Advocate Shahara Khatun, MP, Hon'ble Minister of MOHA, launches the national plan of action and thanked her ministry for their brilliant effort and for the assistance of the INGOs and US government to combat human trafficking.
Engr. Khandker Mosharraf Hossain, MP Hon'ble of MoEWOE, stressed on cross checking migrants data, especially the less skilled migrants, who are the largest group of migrating people to ensure safe migration, which is an effective way to combat human trafficking. He stressed on proper registration and process of issuing SMART card, is ensuring safe migration. With a team of expert, including civil aviation they are now developing a stronger screening mechanism to cross check other category of visas to combat human trafficking issue, especially people traveling with visit/travel visa.
Mr. Dan Mozena, Hon'ble Ambassador, US Embassy, Dhaka congratulates our government and said, “with the help of NPA, government now can better fight the horrid criminals who sell young girls and boys as sex slaves, house servants, agricultural workers. Horrid criminals who sell women into prostitution and men into forced labor at home and abroad”.
Dr. Dipu Moni, MP Hon'ble Minister of MoFA, Anti trafficking law is the expression of promise made by our government to ensure rights of person, who are the victim of trafficking. We are not only making laws but Home Ministry develops an action plan to make a proper implementation of the law.
We are becoming a part of international instruments to accelerate the process. Not only within SAARC but in global part particularly with US government, we are working with promising effort to take the issue seriously. To eradicate the flaws on migration process, which contributes to human trafficking, MoEWOE takes initiatives to come out from the scenario, she added.
Dr. Kamal Uddin Ahmed, Additional Secretary, MOHA, shared the government initiatives and the Plan of action. He briefly outlined the total process of developing this plan of action and strategies.
Among others valued comments were made from, Ms. Sara Piazzano, CoP, Winrock & Member of NPA Drafting Committee, who termed this NPA as a gross rooted document with international standard. Mr. Hassan Mahmood Khandker, MPM, PPM, ndc, IGP, stressed on new law, which is a tool to combat this heinous crime. Mohamed Mijarul Quayes, Secretary of MoFA, shared the limitation of recourse to establish more mission in abroad. Major General Anwar Hussain, ndc, psc, BGB, 70 victim rescued and four traffickers held in last three months. Mostly people who are trafficked in India are victimized through fake marriages, and women who are affected by domestic violence also at risk for trafficking.
Since the Actions for Combating Trafficking in Persons (ACT) program began in 2008, Winrock International has supported civil society and government efforts in Bangladesh to prevent human trafficking, protect victims of trafficking and prosecute perpetrators of trafficking.
Bangladesh is a source and transit country for the heinous acts of trafficking of men, women and children. To combat all forms of trafficking the Government of Bangladesh has been making committed efforts through making partnership with NGOs and developing partners. The significant achievement from these efforts is the recently enacted comprehensive anti-trafficking law that is Human Trafficking Deterrence and Suppression Act 2012. To ensure and implement the goals of this law into reality a National Plan of Action outlining the responsibilities of different agencies with respect to planned activities would provide a vital tool for combating human trafficking. In this context, a launching ceremony, of the National Plan of Action to combat Human Trafficking 2012-2014 was held on May 19th in a city hotel by Ministry of Home Affairs, with the support of USAID/Bangladesh and Winrock International. A dialogue was designed to disseminate the “National Plan of Action for Combating Human Trafficking, 2012 2014 and to raise awareness and commitment for effective implementation of NPA and new Trafficking in persons(TIP) law. 