'Provide special care for victims of trafficking'

11 June 2010, 18:00 PM

Staff Correspondent

Special care should be provided for the victims of human trafficking to facilitate their reintegration into society, as they are exposed to physical abuse and severe trauma. Migration experts said this at the launch of a training manual on care and support for the victims at a city hotel on Thursday, organised by the International Organisation for Migration (IOM). They also said those who are addressing the issue of trafficking, especially the law enforcers and government officials, need to be well trained to assist the survivors in their recovery process. Home Minister Sahara Khatun and IOM Deputy Director General Ambassador Laura Thompson launched the training manual. Speaking as the chief guest, Sahara Khatun said, "Trafficking in human beings is a heinous crime. It is a crime against humanity and civilization." Landlessness, poverty, consumerism, lack of education, poor status of women, inadequate legislation and cultural and governance factors contribute to the prevalence of human trafficking, she said, adding that the government took a wide range of activities including food for work, food for education and guaranteed jobs during lean season to check trafficking. "While the government took initiatives to monitor and prosecute the criminals, taking care of the victims is important. The training manual meant for capacity building of the officials concerned is expected to help in a big way," she said. Ambassador Laura Thompson said tackling human trafficking and smuggling has become a core challenge, which requires attention, especially in Bangladesh, given the importance of labour migration from this country. She, however, said Bangladesh has a good number of programmes to create awareness about these issues. Bangladesh's initiative to draft a comprehensive law on trafficking is laudable. IOM Regional Representative for South Asia Rabab Fatima said trafficked persons are often forced to engage in slavery-like situations and endure physical violence and mental trauma. "Although it is hard to document and report the exact number of such victims, it is imperative to provide care and support to each potential victim and rescued person," she said. Social Welfare Secretary Quomaran Nessa Khanam and Prime Minister Office's Director General Deena Huq also spoke.