Speakers at a conference yesterday emphasised on the coordination among ministries concerned to combat human trafficking in the country.
The observation was made at the national conference on Bangladesh’s National Plan of Action (NPA) 2012-14 and 2015-17 organised by WINROCK International at Bangabandhu International Conference Centre.
INCIDIN Bangladesh, a non-government organisation working on human trafficking, presented a draft NPA for 2015-17. The NPA 2012-14 is being implemented under the responsibility of the Home Ministry which would end on December this year.
Speaking as chief guest, Law Ministry Joint Secretary Abu Ahmed Jamadar expressed discontent as officials of the ministry concerned were absent. If officials who are directly involved with the coordination of the issue, remained absent, who would listen to it, who would implement it, he pointed out.
Officials of the Home Ministry, Social Welfare Ministry and Expatriates’ Welfare Ministry were absent. Expatriates’ Welfare Ministry Additional Secretary Hazrat Ali was to attend as the chief guest.
Jamadar suggested the organiser arrange an inter-ministerial meeting to effectively deal with human trafficking.
While over-viewing the draft of NPA 2015-17, INCIDIN Bangladesh’s Executive Director AKM Masud Ali said a concerted effort of different ministries is needed to tackle human trafficking.
Chief of Party, ACT Program Sarah Stephens said human rights of the people were being violated due to human trafficking and as a result, people from all walks of life are affected, adding the traffickers abuse and misuse legitimate migration.
