Speakers at a post-rally seminar viewed forging social resistance and large-scale social awareness could be the effective means of combating human trafficking.
They mentioned that the Union Human Trafficking Prevention Committee should be more intensified and effective to this end. The traffic victims need access to family and social integration in order to eradicate their plights and vulnerabilities in the society besides getting back to the normal life.
They were addressing a daylong seminar styled “Role and Responsibilities of Human Trafficking Prevention Committee” held at conference hall of Circuit House in Rajshahi yesterday. Divisional Commissioner’s office organized the seminar in association with Winrock International and USAID under the Bangladesh Counter Trafficking in Persons Programme.
Additional Secretary (Political) to the Home Ministry Abu Hena Rahmatul Munim addressed the inaugural session as chief guest.
while Commissioner of Rajshahi Metropolitan Police Md Shmsuddin and Additional Deputy Inspector General of Police of Rajshahi Range Masudur Rahman Bhuiyan spoke as special guests with Munir Hossain, Commissioner-in-Charge of Rajshahi Division, in the chair.
Deputy Party Chief of Winrock International Shanker Paul and Executive Director of INCIDIN Bangladesh AKM Masud Ali presented two separate concept papers on the issue stressing the need for formulating an effective plan of action to check trafficking in persons.
They also laid emphasis on collective efforts of all government and non-government organisations, media and public representatives to prevent the crime. Terming human trafficking as a serious crime, they called for a social movement to free the society from the menace.
AKM Masud Ali said trafficking in human beings, especially women and children, is increasing alarmingly in the country due to poverty, illiteracy and limitations in the existing laws. He said an active role of law enforcing agencies can also help stop human trafficking.
He mentioned that poverty, illiteracy, ignorance, drug-addiction and cross-border trade have so far been identified as the main reasons behind the trafficking of women and children. All the Saarc nations should come forward to prevent the crime forming a regional cooperation body.
Taking part in the open discussion, the participants viewed that the traffic victims and survivors are subjected to repression and oppression by their surroundings so there should be effective and time-fitting measures of ensuring access to family and social integration. They said proper rehabilitation of the traffic victims and survivors is very important.
