Still several challenges to combat human trafficking: Minister

Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal said that human trafficking is not fully being prevented due to having several challenges.

“Still there are lots of challenges to prevent human trafficking,” said the minister while addressing a national conference on ‘National plan of action for combating human trafficking 2015-2017, achievement and way forward” at Bangabandhu International Conference Centre in the city’s Sher-e Bangla Nagar.

Due to lack of proper education, people easily become the prey of human trafficking, he cited one of the challenges.

“We realise that combating human trafficking requires a combined effort. We request all to come up with feasible recommendation for addressing gaps and challenges based on the realities from the grass-root level,” said the minister 

Asaduzzaman said that Bangladesh has long been working with other nations to combat human trafficking. The government has taken administrative measures to address human trafficking, specially trafficking of women and children.

The government has already taken initiatives to stop cross border human trafficking through coordination and cooperation of this Rescue, Recovery, Repatriation and Integration (RRRI) taskforce in India and Bangladesh.

Terming the Rohingya crisis as challenges, the minister said that Bangladesh has already faced challenges with one million Rohingya.

“Now we are seeking international cooperation so that Rohingya people can return to their country safely,” he added.

Mostafa Kamal Uddin, secretary of the public security division of the home ministry presided over the conference while DrNamitaHalder, secretary of the ministry of expatriates' welfare and overseas employment, Abu Saleh Sheikh Mohammad (ASSM) ZahirulHaque, secretary of law and justice division of law, justice and parliamentary affairs ministry, Nasima Begum, secretary of the ministry of women and children affairs were present, among others.

United States Agency for International Development and Winrock International organised the conference.

Source: unb