Government starts three-year drive

The government yesterday revealed a detailed three-year national action plan to combat human trafficking and protect the victims by taking effective awareness and preventive measures.

Launching the "National Action Plan for Combating Human Trafficking 2015-17" in the capital's Bangabandhu International Conference Centre, secretaries of five ministries -- home, foreign, expatriates' welfare and overseas employment, women and children, and law focused on the government's combined efforts to prevent the crime.

They expressed their commitments to implement the plan by working together and sought assistances of UN agencies, regional and international communities to fight trafficking, which has recently become a threat for Bangladesh.

 "Unfortunately, human trafficking is taking place in Bangladesh. It has become a country of origin. It is a transit country. It is also a destination country. That's why it has become difficult for Bangladesh to deal with human trafficking alone," said Foreign Secretary Shahidul Haque.

There must be international cooperation, he said.

Mentioning the reasons behind Bangladeshis being victims of trafficking, the foreign secretary said the action plan should take into account individuals' desperation, social factors, and regular migration.

The home ministry organised the programme with the assistance of USAID Bangladesh. 

Realising the exploitations of men, women, and children under the modern-day slavery, the government is putting importance on the fight agianst trafficking by all means, said Mozammel Haq Khan, senior secretary at the home ministry.

"The national action plan...has focused on a consolidated framework for the national response to combat internal and cross-border human trafficking in Bangladesh," he mentioned.

Expatriates' Welfare Secretary Khandker Md Iftekhar Haider said his ministry was committed to working with the private sector to explore employment opportunities for migrant jobseekers. "Our involvement in combating human trafficking is a must," he added.

Women and Children Affairs Secretary Nasima Begum and Law Secretary Abu Saleh Sheikh Zahirul Haque laid emphasis on strict monitoring.

US Ambassador to Bangladesh Marcia Bernicat said, "Today, sadly, trafficking and slavery continue, but in more varied forms than ever: migrant labour trafficking, sex trafficking, beggar trafficking, child soldiers and other forms of coerced labour".

Bernicat also said fighting trafficking could not be seen as solely the province of the government; all sectors in society must be part of the effort.

She said source countries, transit countries, and destination countries must work together to prevent trafficking.