Do your jobs
Speakers at a national conference yesterday urged the government agencies, especially the police force, to play due roles in fighting human trafficking and protecting the victims and survivors.
They also emphasised coordination between government and civil society's activities to make people aware of this crime.
Their remarks came at the national conference to discuss the draft National Plan of Action (NPA) to combat human trafficking in 2015-17, organised at the capital's Bangabandhu International Conference Centre by Winrock International, a US-based organisation.
Abu Ahmed Jamadar, joint secretary to the law ministry, said the anti-human trafficking law had directed different agencies, especially police, to take stern action against trafficking.
“Police are pledge-bound to protect victims and witnesses' rights in human trafficking cases. If a police official doesn't play a due role, the higher authorities should take punitive action against him/her,” he added.
His remarks came in response to a witness's complaint against negligence of police in recording a case against an alleged trafficker in Satkhira recently.
Jamadar also expressed dissatisfaction at the absence of representatives from the ministries of home, social welfare, and expatriates' welfare at the programme.
“If the government's relevant bodies don't play their respective roles in the fight against human trafficking, there will be no use of laws,” he added.
Sarah Stephens, chief of party for the Actions to Combat Trafficking-in-Persons (ACT) programme at Winrock, said the traffickers destroyed the lives of victims.
“Especially children and women usually fall victim to trafficking. The criminals lure them with jobs,” she added.
AKM Masud Ali, executive director at INCIDIN Bangladesh, an NGO, also spoke.
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