Conviction rate drops despite hiked vigilance

Despite increased monitoring of human trafficking cases by law enforcement agencies and more arrests made, the number of criminals convicted in such cases decreased in 2011 from 2010, said a publication of International Organisation for Migration (IOM) launched yesterday.
The publication “Leading Judgments on Human Trafficking Offences”, a compilation of 11 judgments in relation to human trafficking, was launched in Gulshan's Spectra Convention Centre in the capital.
The publication mentions “lack of adequate sensitivity amongst judges for proper and creative application of existing criminal laws” as a reason why conviction of human traffickers has not increased.
Law Minister Anisul Huq, who was present in the ceremony, said, if criminals were put on trial then cases of human trafficking would decrease.  
IOM published this reference document for judges and lawyers dealing with human trafficking cases, including sexual exploitation and labour trafficking.
Justice Naima Haider of the High Court presented an overview of the publication, which includes two judgments from the High Court and the rest from trial and appellate criminal courts.
She said education and literacy were the best weapons to fight trafficking as people from rural areas often fall victims to traffickers in the false hope of attaining a better future.  
Sarat Dash, chief of mission at IOM, Dhaka, among others, also spoke.