Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed on Wednesday said the new Prevention and Suppression of Human Trafficking and Migrant Smuggling Act, 2026, would play a vital role in combating human trafficking and migrant smuggling facilitated through the misuse of digital platforms and technology.
Speaking as the chief guest at the National Dissemination Meeting on the new law at Hotel InterContinental Dhaka, he said Bangladesh had upgraded its legal and institutional framework to international standards to keep pace with the evolving tactics of transnational criminal groups.
The minister reaffirmed the government's commitment to tackling human trafficking and migrant smuggling through a stronger legal framework, effective institutional coordination and a victim-centred criminal justice system.
The Ministry of Home Affairs and Justice and Care Bangladesh jointly organised the event.
Presided over by Manzur Morshed Chowdhury, Senior Secretary of the Ministry of Home Affairs, the event was attended by Foreign Secretary Asad Alam Siam, British High Commissioner to Bangladesh Sarah Cooke, US Ambassador to Bangladesh Brent T. Christensen, Inspector General of Bangladesh Police Md. Ali Hossain Fakir, DG of Bangladesh Coast Guard Rear Admiral Md Ziaul Hoque, DG of BGB Major General Mohammad Ashrafuzzaman Siddiqui and Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Home Affairs Dr. Ziauddin Ahmed as special guests.
The minister said the new law clearly distinguishes human trafficking from migrant smuggling, strengthens investigation and prosecution, enhances protection for victims and witnesses, expands international cooperation in line with global standards and upholds the internationally recognised principle of non-punishment of victims.
Participants underscored the need for stronger inter-agency coordination and sustained national and international cooperation to ensure effective implementation of the law, dismantle organised criminal networks and bring offenders to justice.
Justice and Care Bangladesh Country Director Mohammad Tarikul Islam presented the background, rationale and key provisions of the legislation.
Senior representatives from Bangladesh Police, Border Guard Bangladesh, Bangladesh Coast Guard, CID, Special Branch, NSI, the judiciary, prosecution, government agencies, diplomatic missions, UN agencies, international organisations, development partners and civil society also attended the event.