‘Ringleaders operate under govt patronage’
Human trafficking cannot be stopped if the government, particularly policymakers, lack commitment and political goodwill in busting traffickers, rights activists said yesterday.
Speaking at a discussion, they alleged that several trafficking gangs and illegal labour exporters are currently operating under the “patronage” of a faction of the ruling quarter -- which must be stopped.
They demanded that the government immediately catch the big fish, prepare a list of traffickers and illegal exporters, implement the national action plan on trafficking properly and provide adequate support to trafficking victims.
US-based Winrock International with collaboration of the Ministry of Home Affairs and USAID organised the event at CIRDAP auditorium, marking World Day Against Trafficking in Persons.
Noted lawyer and activist Salma Ali said many political leaders, particularly in rural areas, are not aware of unsafe migration. “Besides, many ringleaders are operating under government patronage,” she alleged.
It has to be stopped, otherwise, human trafficking cannot be prevented, added Salma, former executive director of Bangladesh National Woman Lawyers’ Association (BNWLA).
She said those arrested on charge of trafficking so far are just middlemen, while the ringleaders remain untouched as usual.
“How will the trafficking stop if the government doesn’t have commitment and political goodwill?” asked Salma.
AKM Masud Ali, executive director of INCIDIN Bangladesh, a non-government organisation, said the government so far has taken several initiatives and prepared plans to stop trafficking, but only a handful has been implemented properly.
Demanding a change, he said an absence of coordination and enthusiasm among the ministries is behind the lack of implementation.
Liesbeth Zonneveld, chief of a counter-trafficking project of Winrock International in Bangladesh, and Suraia Banu, national project coordinator of International Labour Organization (ILO) Bangladesh, also spoke at the discussion.
Although the government was an event partner, none of its officials were present.
Earlier, organisers formed a human chain in front of Jatiya Press Club to mark the day.
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