Discussants have underscored the need for a comprehensive plan of
action to check human trafficking that also needs collective efforts
of all judges, lawyers, law-enforcers and others concerned.
They also called for a proper enforcement of the existing laws to
address the problem. There should also be proper and effective
measures of rehabilitation of the trafficked victims alongside their
family integration, they added.
The observations came at a critical engagement meeting titled “New
Comprehensive Law, Survivors Rights and Support for Rehabilitation”
held at the Judge Court conference hall here on Monday afternoon.
Under its ‘Actions for Combating Trafficking in Persons’ project,
Sachetan, a rights-based development organization, organized the
meeting in association with USAID and Winrock International.
Dr Abdul Alim, Associate Professor of Department of Law and Justice of
Rajshahi University, presented a concept paper on ‘Human Trafficking
Resistance and Prevention Law, 2012’ in the meeting.
District and Sessions Judge Hussain Shaheed Ahmed, who addressed the
discussion as the chief guest, called for a social movement to free
the society from the menace.
He says trafficking in human beings, especially women and children, is
increasing alarmingly in the country due to poverty, illiteracy and
limitations in the existing laws. “We need more shelter houses for the
victims,” he adds.
With Hasinul Islam, Executive Director of Sachetan, in the chair,
Divisional Special Judge Shahidul Islam, Additional District Judge
Elish Hossain, Chief Judicial Magistrate AKM Shaheed, Chief
Metropolitan Magistrate Shahenur, Additional Chief Metropolitan
Magistrate Sheikh Merina Sultana and Additional Metropolitan Judge
Shahidullah also spoke on the occasion.
They speakers 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.
They suggested that all the SAARC nations should come forward to
prevent the crime forming a regional cooperation body. Media can play
a significant role in checking the crime through publishing reports on
the issue.
They also stressed the need to create awareness among public
representatives and vulnerable people about the menace of human
trafficking in the society. –BSS, Rajshahi
