Human trafficking cannot be prevented by laws alone: Law minister

Law Minister Anisul Huq today said human trafficking, which has become a main shape of the organised crimes and violation of human rights in Bangladesh as well the whole world, cannot be resisted or prevented by only enforcing the laws.

"Integrated approaches are needed to combat this atrocious offence," he said while speaking as chief guest to a function in Dhaka.

The USAID and Judicial Administration Training Institute jointly organised the meeting at Hotel Sonargaon on the occasion of inauguration of a training programme on human trafficking, relevant national and international laws, and ensuring justice for victims.

Anisul Huq said the human trafficking is making adverse impact in the society as it is a new stream of modern slavery where the human traffickers become beneficiary through torturing and exploiting women, men and children.

"Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina led government has a zero-tolerance policy against human trafficking and is taking different steps in order to fight this heinous crime. As part of the policy and steps, special importance is being given to quickly dispose of the human trafficking related cases," he said.

Special laws have been formulated and Anti-Human Trafficking Offence Tribunals have been set up for this purpose and judges and prosecutors have been appointed for those, said the minister.

Besides, a committee under the ministry of home affairs is working to this effect and a monitoring cell has been established at the police headquarters in order to collect and analyse the information about the human trafficking," the law minister added.