Catch the big fish behind human trafficking

National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) Chairman Kazi Reazul Hoque yesterday urged the government to formulate a separate tribunal for immediate disposal of the cases filed over human trafficking.

If the tribunal is formulated, it will help identify masterminds behind human trafficking gangs and bring them under trial, the NHRC chairman said while speaking at a consultation meeting.

NHRC and Brac jointly organised the meeting on “prevention of human trafficking” at Brac Centre Inn in the capital.

Some small fries were caught before, but the big ones who are operating in the country from abroad remain beyond reach, said Reazul.

“Human trafficking cannot be prevented by catching small fries. You [the government] have to catch the masterminds and bring them to book,” he said.

Speaking as chief guest, the human rights body boss also urged migration seekers to undergo adequate training before going abroad. If they are properly trained, it will help them avoid traps of trafficking gangs, he added.

Brac Migration Programme Head Shariful Islam Hasan, in a keynote presentation, said a total of 5,716 cases were filed regarding human trafficking between 2012 and 2018, but only a few were disposed of so far.

Besides, human trafficking has increased in recent times under the guise of migration. Formulation of a tribunal has become very necessary, he said.

See page 4 Col 7