country report 2012 bd

8/9/2019 Country Report 2012 BD

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Combating Human Trafficking

Bangladesh Country Report, 2012

Ministry of Home AffairsGovernment of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh

Dhaka, Bangladesh


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Foreword

Abbreviations and Acronyms

1

2

3

7

9

Ministry of Home Affairs 9

5.2.1 Bangladesh Police 10

5.2.2 Rapid Action Battalion 12

5.2.3 Border Guard Bangladesh 13

5.2.4 Bangladesh Coast Guard 14

5.2.5 Bangladesh Ansar/VDP 15

5.2 Ministry of Foreign Affairs 15

5.3 Ministry of Pr imary and Mass Education 17

5.4 Ministry of Social Welfare 18

5.5 Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives 18

5.6 Ministry of Information 195.7 Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation 20

6. 21

Association for Community Development 21

Bangladesh National Women Lawyers Association 22

Centre for Women and Children Studies 24

Dhaka Ahsania Mission 28

Khan Foundation 30

Rights Jessore 31

Refugee and Migratory Movement and Research Unit (RMMRU) 34

UDDIPAN 35

CONTENTS

1. Introduction2. Progress Summary of Law Enforcing Agencies January-December 2012

3. Legal Framework, National Policies and National Plan of Action 2012-2014

4. Third Bilateral Meeting of Bangladesh and India Task Force on Rescue,Recovery, Repatriation and Integration of Human Trafficking victims

5. Initiatives and Measures of Government Ministries and Departments toCombat Human Trafficking

5.1.

NGO Activities to Combat Human Trafficking

6.1.

6.2.

6.3.

6.4.

6.5.

6.6.

6.7.

6.8.

Page


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7. 36

International Organization for Migration 36

United Nations Children Emergency Fund 38

Winrock International 40

World Vision 43

8. 45

Association for Community Development 45

Bangladesh National Women Lawyer’s Association 46

Centre for Women and Children Studies 47

Dhaka Ahsania Mission 50

Khan Foundation 51

Winrock International 51

9. 54

Counter Trafficking Activities of International Organizations

7.1.

7.2.

7.3.

7.4.

Initiatives to Address the Plight of Trafficked Victims and Survivors

8.1.

8.2.

8.3.

8.4.

8.5.

8.6.

Conclusion


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Migration of human be ings started since the beginning of human civilization. Modern technology has turned theorld into a global village where no citizen can be bound with a boundary. Bangladesh is an overpopulated

country. Therefore, Bangalis are migrating both internally, regionally and globally. The s ituation encouraged thedomestic a nd international trafficking gangs to run their business in full swing.

The Human Trafficking Deterrence and Suppression Act, 2012 is an instrument to restrain the perpetrators. The

law a ddressed all forms of trafficking including prostitution, various forms of se xual e xploitation, pornography,forced labour or services, debt- bondage, slavery or servitude, or practices similar to sl avery, exploitation

through fake marriage, forcible engagement of others in the entertainment industry and begging and maiming

persons or removal of organs for the purpose of trade.

The Bangladesh Country Report on Combating Human Trafficking is the Annual Country Report highlighting

activities undertaken by concerned government ministries, departments, INGOs and NGOs and the

achievements towards combating human trafficking. The report also has implications for plans and actions to betaken in future. The Country Report is published by the Ministry of Home Affairs but it is an outcome of participatory contribution of all key government and non-government agencies which are taking part in the fight

for upholding humanity by reducing human trafficking throughout the country including those whose names arenot mentioned in the report.

We a re confident that this Country Report will help us in realizing our collective goal to reduce vulnerability of potential victims as well as to promoting rep atriation, rehabilitation and empowering the victims to savethemselves from re-victimization.

We would like to thank Professor Ishrat Shamim for editing the Country Report and members of the Report

Drafting Committee for their v aluable contributions in preparing the rep ort. Concerned ministries, departments,

development partners and NGOs also deserve thanks for their direct or indirect efforts in giving inputs to the

report.

Foreword

C Q K Mustaq Ahmed

Senior Secretary

Ministry of Home AffairGovernment of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh

&

Chairperson of the National Committee

for Combating Human Trafficking


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AC Assistant Police Commissioner

ABU Asia Pacific Broadcasting Centre

ACD Association for Community Development

ACT Actions for Combating Trafficking in Persons Program

ACTWC Alliance to Combat Trafficking in Women and Children

AIDS Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome

ATCCs Anti-Trafficking Community Committees

ATU Anti-Trafficking Unit

BAIRA Bangladesh Association for International Recruiting Agencies

BGB Border Guard Bangladesh

BKMEA Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters’

Association

BMET Bureau of Manpower, Employment and Training

BNWLA Bangladesh National Women Lawyers’ Association

BPC Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation

BOESL Bangladesh Overseas Employment Services Limited

BRAC Bangladesh Rural Advancement Committee

BSEHR Bangladesh Society for the Enforcement of Human Rights

BSF Border Security Force

BSP Bangladesh Sentry PostBTV Bangladesh Television

CBMP Coordinated Border Management Plan

CBO Community Based Organization

CCRVT Community Capacity to Reduce Vulnerability to Human

Trafficking

CDMS Crime Database Management Software

CDP Child Development Programme

CFIS Child Friendly Interviewing Skills

CPM Community based work to Develop Child ProtectionMechanism

CEDAW Convention on the Elimination of All forms of Discriminationagainst Women

CIC Community Information Centre

C-in-Ed Certificate in Education

Abbreviations and Acronyms


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CID Criminal Investigation Department

CRC Convention on the Rights of the Child

CTC Counter Trafficking Committee

CTWF Counter Trafficking Women Forum

CWC Community Watch CommitteeCWC Community Watchdog Committee

CWCS Centre for Women and Children Studies

CWG Community Watch Group

DAM Dhaka Ahsania Mission

DC Deputy Commissioner

DEMO District Employment and Migration Office

DIG Deputy Inspector General of Police

DIP Department of Immigration and Passport

DMP Dhaka Metropolitan Police

DWA Department of Women Affairs

ETV Ekushey Television

GoB Government of Bangladesh

G2G Government to Government

HT Human Trafficking

HIV Human Immunodeficiency Virus

IEC Information, Education and Communication

IGP Inspector General of Police

IHB Information Health Booth

ILO International Labour Organization

INGO International Non-Governmental Organization

IOM International Organization for Migration

JATRI Journalism Training Institute

JP-VAW Joint Programme on Violence Against Women

KF Khan Foundation

LEAs Law Enforcement Agencies

IGA Income Generating Activities

LGD Local Government Division

LGI Local Government Institutes

LMAFP Local Medical Assistance of Family Planning

MIND Mobile Interpol Network Device


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MLAT Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty

MoEWOE Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment

MoHA Ministry of Home Affairs

MoFA Ministry of Foreign Affairs

MoLGRD Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development andCooperatives

MoPME Ministry of Primary and Mass Education

MoSW Ministry of Service Welfare

MoU Memorandum of Understanding

MoWCA Ministry of Women and Children Affairs

MRP Machine Readable Passport

MP Member of Parliament

NCB Nationalized Commercial Bank

NGO Non-Governmental Organization

NIHB Niramoy Information Health Booth

NPA National Plan of Action

OCC One-Stop Crisis Center

OMS Open Market Sale

PC Platoon Commander

PHQ Police Headquarters

PNGO Partner NGO

PP Public Prosecutor

PPVD Promotion of Human Rights for Preventing Violence and

Discrimination against Women and Girls

PRP Police Reform Programme

PTI Primary Teacher Training Institute

RAB Rapid Action Battalion

REOPA Rural Employment Opportunity for Public Assets

RI Releif International

RJ Rights Jessore

RMMRU Refugee and Migratory Movement Research Unit

RRRI Rescue Recovery Repatriation and Integration

RUCMP Rural Urban Child Migration Project

SAARC South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation

SB Special Branch

SH Shelter Home


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SHISUK Shikkha Shastha Unnayan Karzakram

SOP Standard Operating Procedure

TED Theatre for Development

THB Trafficking in Human Beings Cell

TIP Traf ficking in PersonsToR Terms of Reference

ToT Training of Trainers

TTC Technical Training Center

TV Television

UAE United Arab Emirates

UNICEF United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund

UNO Upazila Nirbahi Officer

UP Union Parishad

US United States

VAW Violence Against Women

VDP Village Defence Party

VGD Vulnerable Group Development

VGF Vulnerable Group Feeding

VTF Vigilance Task Force

WAG Women Action Groups

YPSA Youth Power in Social Action


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Trafficking of human being is both a cause and consequence of the violation of human rights.

Human trafficking is not only a heinous and inhuman offence, it is also a phenomenon which

undermines the value, worth, and dignity of the persons trafficked. Human trafficking is a

complex phenomenon, resulting from the involvement of diverse national and transnational

factors. Although trafficking in persons is often identified as a part of organized and/or cross- border crime, it also occurs within na tional boundaries In whatever form it may happen, it is

inextricably linked with forced, fraudulent or involuntary migration/movement of people, and

the end-object of this crime is commercial sexual work, forced labour, prostitution, or other

forms of exploitation. As such, unsafe/irregular migration always runs the risk of human

trafficking.

Although mainly a source country for human trafficking, Bangladesh in recent years has

turned out to be a country of both transit and destination. In recent times, alongside intra -country and cross-border trafficking in women and children, trafficking of men for the

purpose of 'labour-exploitation' has been on the rise. In Bangladesh, a significant number of

men are recruited for work overseas with fraudulent employment promise; but later they face

of exploitative and inhuman conditions of labour in the form of forced labour or debt bondage. The magnitude of the multifaceted crimes under the umbrella term of 'trafficking in

persons' which may be analogized with modern-day slavery is worth noticing.

The issue of human trafficking is integrally linked to insecurity of livelihood as well as to

continuing disparities and discrimination against marginalized communities generally, and

against women in particular. Many trafficked persons are lured and deceived by false

promises of good jobs or marriage while others are bought, abducted, kidnapped, coerced,

threatened or used as debt bondage. Some of these women and children are trafficked with

the tacit consent of their impoverished families.

Various factors lead to vulnerability of men, women and children to trafficking, such as poverty, unemployment, illiteracy, lack of awareness, gender discrimination, gender-based

violence, natural disasters, and lack of proper implementation of the existing laws. However,

in the absence of proper measures to address poverty, unemployment and violence against

women and of proper structures to facilitate safe migration, the aspiring people willing tomigrate for a better life will continue to be vulnerable to trafficking.

The Constitution of Bangladesh mandates the establishment of a society based on the rule of

law, justice, and of respect for human dignity and worth of a ll persons. The Constitution bans

forced and bonded labour (article 34) and imposes a duty on the state to prevent and suppress

prostitution of human beings, and guarantees o f fundamental human r ights. The Constitution

provides for an obligation for the state to prevent violation of human rights in any form,

including human trafficking. There are also a number of statutes and policies which providefor the legal regime against human trafficking.

Currently, the Ministry of Home Affairs has been in the lead role of coordinating counter -trafficking activities. Other relevant ministries are also actively engaged in counter -

trafficking activities and are extending their cooperation to the Ministry of Home Affairs.Moreover, there are various committees and sub-committees working under the Ministry ofHome Affairs for policy making. These include inter-ministerial representatives, NGOs andINGOs working on combating human trafficking. They have been working in a concerted

way.

1.Introduction

.


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The Ministry of Home Affairs (MoHA) undertook the initiative to address the gaps in the

existing legal framework that was impediment to effectively combat all forms of human

trafficking. The Ministry with technical assistance of IOM drafted a comprehensive human

trafficking law with the active participation of key stakeholders which was enacted in 2012.

has been the most

spectacular achievement of the ongoing counter-trafficking pro-active measure by the

government and other implementing partners. However, laws alone cannot be the onlysolution to combat human trafficking. There is the need for other continuing actions for

proper implementing the existing laws. The National Plan of Action (NPA) 2012-2014

formulated in 2012 provides for a template in a single document of possible activities andidentified implementing agencies with timeframe against human trafficking. Moreover, the

government works in partnership with non-governmental organizations and international

agencies, including the UN bodies, to c ombat human trafficking.

No of cases lodged: 209

No of accuseds arrested: 128

No of cases charge-sheeted: 84

Final reports submitted: 33

No. of cases under investigation: 92

Number of cases d isposed 45

Cases ended in conviction 8

Cases ended in acquittal 37

Persons convicted 11

Life imprisonment 10

Other term 1

Persons acquitted 97

Police 253

BGB 19

RAB 1

Self 60

Parents 325

NGO 3

Government/safe homes 5

Moreover, Police Headquarters Monitoring Cell received 99 summons/warrant from courts

against 130 witnesses and ensured their appearance before the court in due time.

The Human Tr aff icking Deter rence and Suppression Act 2012

1. Progress Summary of Law Enforcing Agencies January-December 2012

Prosecution:

Cases disposed of:

Number of trafficked persons: 422

Number of trafficked persons rescued/recoverd by: 333

Rehabilitation of trafficked persons to:


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Bangladesh has assumed specific obligations under certain international instruments to

combat human trafficking through legal, judicial, legislative and social measures.Particularly, Bangladesh has assumed obligations to effectively prevent and prosecute the

offence of trafficking in women and children under the SAARC Convention on preventingand combating trafficking in women and children for prostitution, 2000 and certain other

international instruments, namely, the Convention on the Rights of the Child 1989 (CRC),which provides a legal framework to prevent children from being trafficked and to protect

them if they become victimized of trafficking, imposes on Bangladesh as a ratifying country

(ratified in 1990,) a specific duty to take appropriate measures to prevent the abduction andof sale of or traffic in ch ildren for any purpose or in any form 1 (article 35) and to combat theillicit transfer and non-return of children abroad (article 11). Under the two Protocols to theCRC, Bangladesh has obligations to prevent the use of children in pornography, prostitution

and armed conflict. On the other hand, by ratifying the Convention on the Elimination of All

forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) 1979, Bangladesh has an obligation to

(article 6). Other treaties providing forancillary obligations regarding human trafficking which Bangladesh has ratified/acceded

include:

The Convention for the Suppression of the Trafficked Persons and of the Exploitation

of the Prostitution of Others, 1949

The Supplementary Convention on the Abolition o f Slavery, Slave Trade andInstitutions and Practices Similar to Slavery, 1956

The ILO Convention (No. 182) on the Prohibition and Immediate Action for the

Elimination of the Worst Forms of Child Labour, 1999

The ILO Forced Labour Convention (No. 29) on Forced or Compulsory Labour,1930.

Moreover, on 13 July 2011, the Government has ratified the

Bangladesh has also recently ratified another

ancillary international instrument, namely, the. Ratification of this Convention

is sure to have a positive impact on Bangladesh's efforts to prevent and combat human

trafficking. Further, the most notable anti-trafficking instrument, the

is currently ratified.The Government has also adopted three major national polices - the Policy for the

Advancement of Women, 2011, the Child Labour Elimination Policy, 2010 and the Child

Rights Policy, 2011 - which would have strong impacts on anti-trafficking measures

generally. Especially, the National Women Policy, 2011 and the Child Rights Policy , 2011

categorically show the government's commitment to eradicate trafficking in women andchildren.

Enactment of the in line withinternational instruments followed by the formulation of the

sought to design activities for the implementationof the law that necessitates certain actions in order to effectively suppress human trafficking

and protect its victims and definitely exhibits the commitment of Bangladesh government to

combat human trafficking.

3. Legal Framework, National Policies and National Plan of Action, 2012-14

take all appropriate measures, including legislation, to suppress all forms of traffic in

women and exploitation of prostitution of women

UN Convention against

Transnational Organized Crime, 2000.

UN Convention on the Protection of the Rightsof All Migrant Workers and Members of their Families, 1990

UN Protocol to Prevent,

Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, 2000 (Palermo Protocol)

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Human Traff icking Deterrence and Suppression Act, 2012

National Plan of Action, 2012 -

2014 for Combating Human Traff icking


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The is an essential

tool for defining the responsibilities of key stakeholders in the fight against human traffickingin Bangladesh, both internally and across borders. The NPA, 2012 seeks to provide a

consolidated framework for the national responses to the problem of internal and cross-

border human trafficking in Bangladesh. Building on the previous action plans and otherrelated policies such as the Policy for the Advancement of Women on international standards,the NPA identifies a number of activities to be undertaken within the timeline drawn in order

to achieve its goals, and specifies the role of different ministries and organizations in

implementing these activities, with scope for inter -agency and inter -actors coordination and acentralized system of monitoring, reporting and evaluation.

In the present NPA, 2012, the term 'human trafficking' is interchangeably used with'trafficking in human beings' or 'trafficking in persons', and it is used in the sense of the

recent comprehensive anti-trafficking legislation of 2012.defines 'human trafficking" as:

The NPA, 2012 has assumed the task of translating into reality the

that requires both government agencies and non-state

actors to undertake certain actions to effectively suppress human trafficking and protect thevictims and survivors. It is important to mention that MoHA organized a launching ceremony

for the National Plan of Action, 2012-2014 on 19 th May, 2012.

Launching ceremony of National Plan of Action Combating

Human Trafficking 2012-14 on 19th May, 2012

The National Plan of Action, 2012-2014 for Combating Human Trafficking

National Plan of Action 2012-2014 for Combating Human Trafficking

The Human Trafficking Deterrence

and Suppression Act, 2012

“The selling, buying, recruitment, receipt, transportation, transfer, or harbouring ofany person for the purpose of sexual -exploitation, labour -exploitation or any other

form of exploitation whether in or outside of Bangladesh by means of (a) threat or use

of force or other forms of coercion, or (b) abduction, fraud or deception, or of the

abuse of any person's socio-economic, environmental or other types of vulnerability,or (c) of the giving or receiving of pa ments or benefits to achieve the consent of a

person having control over another person.”

Human Trafficking

Deterrence and Suppression Act, 2012


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Keeping in mind the human rights implications of the crime of human trafficking, the NPA,

2012-14 for combating human trafficking is based on the following:

No discrimination against anyone based on sex, religion, caste, education, political

ideology and wealth;

Government responsibilities and ownerships;

Justice for the victims of human trafficking;

Protection of the best interests of the child victims and respect for human dignity of allduring the rehabilitation, rescue and criminal justice processes (protection of victimsfrom re-victimization/harassment);

Civil Society Participation (or, PPP: public-private partnership);

Participation of the local-level people and local government institutions;

Interdisciplinary coordination or cross-section responsibilities shared amongst

government agencies and between the government agencies, INGOs and NGOs;Conformity with other relevant policies o f the Government; and

Bangladesh's solidarity with the international community and efforts.

To provide for certain implementable activities to prevent and suppress human

trafficking and protect the trafficking-victims;

To a llocate the responsibilities amongst various government agencies and otherimplementing organizations for the implementation of these activities and monitoring

the application/enforcement of existing laws.

Prevent and prosecute the offences of human trafficking;

Ensure justice for the victims of trafficking through a comprehensive protective regime

through state interventions and social actions, including measures for their rescue,

recovery from the physical/psychosocial trauma, repatriation, rehabilitation and re-integration into families and society;

Develop an integrated information system comprising information about the traffickers,

trafficked victims state/social interventions and other ancillary issues;

Put in place a system of co-ordination and co-operation at the state and non-governmentorganizations levels, both at home and abroad, with a view to effectively combating

human trafficking; andCreate responsibility for monitoring and reporting NPA activities, a nd to make a ware all

stakeholders and counter-trafficking committees about their responsibility to promote the

implementation of the laws and the NPA, 2012.

Basic Principles and Objectives

Guidi ng Pri nciples

Pr incipal Objectives

National P lan of Action aims to:

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per se


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Mobilize and aware people against Human Trafficking and better coordination inawareness campaigns established for more effectiveness;

Messages disseminated in awareness action follow the definition as per law;

Prevention campaigns bring information on safe migration to reduce illegal/unsafemigration and hence the risk of human trafficking; and

Livelihood support programs introduced for people most at risk as a prevention strategy.

Protective measures initiated, expanded, strengthened and monitored (including the roleof Bangladesh Missions in foreign countries;

Survivors of all forms of human trafficking as per law definition served;

Sustainable reintegration for the victims initiated since their rescue and

introduce/operational national victim identification, referral and reintegration systems;

National standards for care of survivors developed, implemented and monitored;

Services provided to eliminate the stigmatization of the families and communities;

Fully implement the existing law that aims at protecting the victims.

Implementation of existing provisions of law;

Ensuring prompt and effective trial;

Capacity of the Law Enforcement Agencies and Public Prosecutors enhanced;

New Victims and Witness Protection Law (Protocol/Schemes) enacted/launched; and

Counter Trafficking Committees (CTCs) strengthened, coordinated and active.

Coordination established among implementing agencies and good information sharingsystem developed;

Dialogue with main destination countries developed and agreements signed for enhanced

RRRI process and improved care for survivors in destination countries.

Core Goals and Strategies

Goal 1: Prevention of Human Trafficking, Awareness and Mobilization

Strategies:

Goal 2: Protection of Trafficking Victims/Survivors

Strategies:

Goal 3: Prosecution of Human Trafficking Offences

Strategies:

Goal 4: Development of Partnership, Participation, Co-ordination, and Cross-country

Mutual Legal Assistance

Strategies:

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Implementation Committee made efficient in monitoring implementation of NPA, 2012;

Baseline surveys and mid-term and final evaluation reports conducted and findings

disseminated for a transparent and accountable system.

The National Plan of Action adopts a holistic approach towards the problem of human

trafficking, sets realistic timeframes and outcome-indicators for each activity, and provides a

result- bound coordination, monitoring and evaluation system. A committee is working underMinistry of Home Affairs to monitor the implementation of NPA on regular basis and to

expedite its proper execution by concerned key stakeholders.

Victims of trafficking are often treated as criminals in destination countries and evensometimes in Bangladesh. Until recently, there were no bilateral assistance agreement on

human trafficking nor did any statute mandate such inter -country or regional pacts. As a partof implementing the National Plan of Action, the Third

Meeting of RRRI Task Force on Human Trafficking

between India and Bangladesh was held in Cox's

Bazar, Bangladesh from 8-9 December, 2012. TheBangladesh delegation consisted of 25 members led by

Dr. Kamal Uddin Ahmed, Additional Secretary

(Political), Ministry of Home Affairs, Government ofthe People's Republic of Bangladesh. The Indiandelegation consisted of 10 members led by Shri K

Skandan, Additional Secretary (CS), Ministry of HomeAffairs, government of India.

Both sides reviewed the progress on decisions taken in the Second Task Force Meeting held

in 8-10 April, 2012 in Kolkata, India and expressed their satisfaction at the pace of

implementation of decisions taken in the 2nd

Bilateral Meeting in addressing the issues of

human trafficking.

The Agreed minutes of the Third Meeting of the Task Force of Bangladesh and India on

Rescue, Recovery, Repatriation and Integration of Trafficked victims/survivors is given below:

The two sides held comprehensive discussions and deliberations on prevention, rescue,repatriation and rehabilitation of the victims of human trafficking. The following decisions

were agreed to by both s ides:

a) To take further effective preventive measures in the respective countries including

strengthening border controls, raising awareness and taking effective legal actionsagainst traffickers, touts and agents involved in human trafficking. Both sides

appreciated the impact of simultaneous coordinated patrolling by the border

guarding forces of both countries under the Coordinated Border Management Plan

Agreed nutes s gning by the leaders of

Bangladesh and India delegates

Goal 5: Development of a Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting System

Strategies:

4. Third Bilateral Meeting of Bangladesh and India Task Force on Rescue,

Recovery, Repatriation and Integration (RRRI) of Human Trafficking

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(CBMP) and agreed to enhance it further;

b) Human trafficking being recognized as a transnational organized crime, both sidesagreed to strengthen bilateral cooperation under Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty

(MLAT), as already signed and ratified by both countries;

c) To further strengthen BOPs and identify more vulnerable patches, both sides

agreed to enhance frequency of interaction among nodal officers nominated atappropriate level in BSF/BGB and to hold regular meetings;

d) To hold regular meetings at the Task Force level of the Ministry of Home Affairsof both the countries and have designated persons for specific junctions (RRRI) to

regularly share information and resolve issues relating to operations and

accomplishment of RRRI matters;

e) To expedite the process of nationality verification and confirmation, both sides

agreed that a joint workshop be held to review the existing procedures and to

develop appropriate guidelines for expeditious verification of persons. Bothcountries agreed to give a keynote paper and to nominate persons for the

workshop to be held in India at the earliest;

f) To set up transit shelter homes along the India-Bangladesh borders as early as possible by both the Governments as deemed appropriate;

g) To develop and share database on victims of trafficking on an ongoing basis, to

regularly exchange information through the designated focal points in Ministry of

Home Affairs of India and Bangladesh;

h) To hold video conferencing as and when required/or better coordination betweenthe two focal points;

i) To develop and share database on victims in the shelter homes and expeditious

facilitation for consular access to these shelter homes, to share the update on the

status of the action taken on a regular basis;

j) Both the sides agreed to have a regular feedback mechanism on issues related to

RRRI process;

k) Both the countries agreed to offer to organize joint training and capacity building

programmes for concerned agencies;

l) Both the countries agreed to interdict the activities of the suspected recruiting and

tr avel agents;

m) To identify and designate NGOs in India and Bangladesh for expediting process

of rescue, repatriation and rehabilitation of the victims of human trafficking;

n) To continue to jointly patrol the 35 vulnerable patches by BSF and BGB as perthe Coordinated Border Management Plan (CBMP) and identify more such

vulnerable patches; and

p) To engage local population in identification of traffickers and generating publicmovement on the issue.

Both sides prepared the draft Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to combat human

trafficking for use between two countries. The draft SOP would be finalized and signed at the

earliest. Both sides discussed the draft Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) which would

be finalized for signing at the earliest.


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The leader of the Indian delegation thanked the leader of Bangladesh delegation for the

excellent arrangements made for the delegation members and invited the Bangladesh

delegation to visit India for the next meeting. The dates would be finalized through

diplomatic channel.

The agreed minutes was signed on 9 December, 2012 by Mr. K. Skandan, Additional

Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India and Dr. Kamal Uddin Ahmed,Additional Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of the People’s Republic ofBangladesh.

Bangladesh government has being continuously taking pro-active steps and measures tocombat all forms of human trafficking, especially trafficking in women and children since2004. It has initiated in the preparation and formulation of the new law on all forms of human

trafficking and subsequently the Rules to implement the law in a concerted way with the

concerned line Ministries, their respective departments, NGOs and INGOs.

The Ministry of Home Affairs has been the lead Ministry to address the issues of humantrafficking in a holistic way by coordinating the activities of the concerned Ministries and

departments, INGOs and NGOs. The Ministry had been pro-active in formulating the newlaw on human trafficking and the National Plan of Action for Combating Human Trafficking,

2012-14.

Under the leadership of the Home Ministry, National Plan of Action, 2012-14 was preparedwith the active participation of all concerned Ministries, departments, agencies and NGOs

who were responsible for the implementation of the National Plan of Action to combat

RR RI taskforce members to a ttend 3rd

Bilateral Meeting between India and Banglade sh atCox’s Bazar held in 8-9 December, 2012

5. Initiatives and Measures of Government Ministries and Departments to

Combat Human Trafficking

5.1 Ministry of Home Affairs


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human trafficking. The present Plan of Action has outlined the responsibilities of concernedgovernment agencies as well as development partners and NGOs. In this regard, a draft

reporting format for the responsible organizations who will be implementers of the activities

is underway, especially, for monitoring the Plan of Action. However, the lead Ministry shall

be the Ministry of Home Affairs.

Bangladesh Police has been actively participating in Bangladesh Government’s collective

efforts of combating trafficking in human beings, especially, in women and children for a

long time. It contributes in every phase – prevention, detection, investigation and

rehabilitation. Since its inception in 2004, the monitoring cell for combating trafficking in

women and children at Police Headquarters has been working successfully by guiding and

liaising with the district level monitoring cells of Bangladesh Police. In every district, there isa monitoring cell headed by an Additional Superintendent of Police. These cells closely

monitor the cases related to trafficking in women and children lodged in their respective

jurisdiction. In addition, the Monitoring Cell at the Police Headquarters along with the 64

District Monitoring Cells, work with concerned ministries and NGOs.

Since 2004, a total of 573 cases have been disposed. Out of these cases, 205 cases concludedin conviction and 368 cases ended up in acquittal. A total of 345 persons have been

convicted, out of which 8 persons were awarded death sentence, 250 were sentenced to life-term imprisonment and 87 received monetary penalties and imprisonment of variousduration. However, 1,065 persons were acquitted by the learned courts in 368 cases.

At present 737 cases related to trafficking in women and children are under trial in different

courts of Bangladesh. Out of these 98 cases are being monitored by the Monitoring Cell. In

2011, 143 cases were lodged compared to 117 cases in 2010. A total number of 113 suspects

were arrested in 2011 while 111 were arrested in 2010 in connection with human traff icking.Total 45 cases were disposed of during 2012 as against 108 persons. During 2012, 11 persons

were convicted and 97 persons acquitted in 37 cases by the learned courts.

A web-based software (CDMS) has been

installed at Police Headquarters Monitoring Cell where every information of trafficking

victims/survivors and other relevant statistics will be preserved.

Trafficking in Human Beings (THB) Cell has also been established in Criminal Investigation

Department to monitor the trafficking cases. Every month, a meeting is held to discuss the

progress of sensational trafficking cases attended by concerned investigating officers. The

meeting provides necessary instruction and guidance.

Bangladesh Police has been relentlessly working to curb down the illegal activities of thetraffickers by taking preventive measures and also by bringing them to justice and ensuring

proper investigation. Sensitization has been a process of regular police activity to raise

awareness among the citizens of Bangladesh.

P : Police officers take part in mass awareness, motivational and sensitization programmes at different levels in the society including educational and religious institutions.

5.2 Bangladesh Police

revention

Integrated Crime Data Management System

Bangladesh Police especially work s on the fol lowing aspects:


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They also participate in electronic media pogrammes, seminars and workshops both home

and abroad. Different training institutes of Bangladesh Police have undertaken training

curriculum on anti-human trafficking. Meanwhile 63 training programmes were arranged and11,632 police personnel had received training on this issue in 2012.

Police, all over the country have recovered and rescued 333 victims and among

them 325 were returned to their parents and the rest were handed over to government and NGOs safe homes. It may be mentioned here that Bangladesh Police under Police ReformProgram has been running victim support centers in Dhaka Metropolitan area and in

Rangamati district. A considerable number of recovered missing children have been shelter,

counseled and rehabilitated with the help of these centers. More victim support centers are

under progress in other divisional cities.

The responsibilities of immigration clearance at all border checkpoints of Bangladesh rest

with the Special Branch Immigration. Since liberation of Bangladesh, Immigration Police has

been performing this important job of Border Management very efficiently. Bangladesh

Immigration works under Ministry of Home Affairs. With the vision to have a modern worldclass Immigration Service, Special Branch Immigration is applying all sorts of systems,

procedures and technologies to enhance efficiency in both facilitation and control.

Immigration is running on some specified missions and one of them is to prevent human

trafficking and smuggling. All the Immigration Officers are specially trained in this regard.

Bangladesh has 3 international airports, 2 seaports and 28 land check posts including onerailway immigration check post. Each year approximately five million persons pass through

Immigration clearance process.

Since May 2003, Special Branch has developed and introduced its database “Fortrac" for

tracking illegal or suspected incoming and outgoing passengers. In 2009, Special Branch

Immigration has developed new version of Immigration software "Portrac-3" which can evencollect and preserve passengers biometric features along with photos.

The Special Branch has established the central connectivity between Special Branch

Headquarters, with other major airports and land check posts which cover 95% of total

movement of passengers. Movement of the remaining 5% is being kept in off line in laptop.The central connectivity of those check posts is on the way to be completed very soon. FromSpecial Branch Headquarters, immigration higher authority can visualize the immigration

activity at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport connected by radio link. Immigration is

connected with NCB and NCB is connected with Interpol through i 24/7 which providesinformation to all immigration check posts. Immigration police is also using Mobile Interpol

Network Device (MIND), a very modern and sophisticated Interpol database. by using thisdatabase Immigration police can check lost and stolen passport and Interpol Red notice.

Immigration has also the connectivity with BMET and passport office.

From January 2012 to 10th December 2012, immigration police has offloaded 3,967 outgoing

passengers. Distribution of off loaded passengers is given below:

Protection:

Bangladesh Police Special Branch, Immigration Wing


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Generally the causes of offload are fake/forged visas, passports, manpower clearances and

seal. Other major reasons of off load are human smuggling and human trafficking.Immigration police is highly dedicated and professional to combat human trafficking.

Department of Immigration and Passport (DIP) does not implement any programme relating

to combat human trafficking directly. To prevent child trafficking, DIP issues passports for

children subject to getting police verification reports and confirmation by their parents orlegal guardians. In other cases, antecedents of applicants are verified by Special Branch of

Police. Therefore, everyone is requested to consider this as nil statement as the DIP has no

such specific actions in hand to prevent human trafficking directly.

Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) being the elite force of Bangladesh Police has been

contributing actively in the government's efforts of combating human trafficking, especially,

women and children since its inception. Due to the job description of RAB forces, it haslimited scope in investigation and rehabilitation phases of human trafficking. However, in thedetection and prevention phases, this force has shown remarkable agility and success to

detect such offences and apprehend individuals involved in such offences. Whenever any

huge of abduction and trafficking came to the notice of this force, the intelligent and

operational team has made all the efforts to rescue the victims and apprehended the criminalsfor justice. Moreover, its regular monitoring and domination over the areas in question has

deterred many efforts regarding trafficking in women and children.

During 2012, a total of 145 operations have been conducted by RAB to rescue abducted

victims and in this regard, 276 persons had been arrested and 182 victims were rescued from1 January-10 December, 2012. On the other hand, 5 operations have been conducted torescue 2 women and 9 children and apprehended 7 criminals from offence related to

trafficking in women and children in particular. In all the above cases, the victims were

handed over to the parents and various rehabilitation centers through appropriate authority

and cases being filed in the concerned police stations by handing over the arrested personsfor necessary judgments.

Fake visa PC Imposter Fake persons Fake seal Others

Men Women Men Women Men Women Men Women Men Women Men Women

284 4 436 15 180 1 95 64 37 1 2531 189

Department of Immigration and Passport

5.3 Rapid Action Battalion

Achievements of RAB


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1 January to 10 December 2012

No of operations Persons arres ted with regard to

abduction casesRescued victims

145 276 182

1 January 10 December 2012

Rescued women and children

victims No of operations Persons arres ted due to

trafficking in women and

children

Women Children Total

5 7 2 9 11

The role of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) is to guard and control the land border of the

country. With regard to trafficking of persons, BGB is involved in controlling the border,interception/apprehension of traffickers/smugglers, rescue and recovery of victims and

repatriation of victims through flag meetings. With respect to prevention of trafficking, BGB

takes part in awareness growing activities. It also carries out regular trainings and awareness

programmes for officials at all levels. Recent construction of Border Sentry Posts (BSP) a llalong the border will definitely enhance the capability of monitoring borders more

effectively.

BGB units have been given strict instructions to rescue and recover the trafficked women and

childr en and apprehend the traffickers. During the period from January, 2012 till 10December, 2012, BGB had rescued and recovered 255 women and 86 children and had

arrested 10 traffickers in this connection.

Training Directorate of Border Guard Bangladesh plans and designs a good number of multi-

dimensional training courses for BGB members in every fiscal year. In every course, thetrainers follow specific lesson plans on different modules as per needs and nature of trainings

but the subject of is a must. That lesson p lan

mostly covers general concept of human trafficking, target groups, causes and consequences

of trafficking in women and children and probable preventive measures against trafficking.

Rescue and arrest related to abduction cases

Rescue and arrest related to cases of trafficking in women and children

5.4 Border Guard Bangladesh

Preventive efforts

Rescue and Recovery of Trafficked Women and Children

Training

Combating Trafficking of Women and Children


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To increase the awareness amongst the local people, BGB made two short films and

distributed these in the bordering areas. With frequent intervals, these films are shown to thelocal communities. Some special trainings, workshops and seminars are jointly organized by

NGOs on Reproductive Health and Gender Issues, Trafficking of Women and Children,

Violence against Women and awareness against HIV/AIDS.

Moreover, members of Border Guard Bangladesh attend the upazila, district and national

level meetings at regular basis and they discuss on combating trafficking of women and

children.

Bangladesh Coast Guard is actively engaged in combating human trafficking through thenational waters of Bangladesh. All units of the force (zones, bases, stations/outposts and

ships/crafts) remain vigilant against human trafficking in their areas of responsibility across

the entire coastal belt and the Sundarbans. Various effective measures have been taken to

curb human trafficking through sea, adjacent coastal areas and vulnerable river routes.

Regular patrolling by ships, crafts and boats in vulnerable human trafficking areas,

especially, in the offshore areas of Chittagong, Khulna (including the Sundarbans),

Barisal, Bhola and Patuakhali districts;

Conducting special operations in off shore areas of East and South coasts, St.Martins

Island including bordering river Naaf and some char areas as and when required;

Conducting special operations at Dublar Char and Baniashania of Mongla to preventabuse of women and children;

Regular checking of all ships and crafts using India-Bangladesh river transit routes atvarious check points in the Sundarbans; and

Organizing motivational and awareness creating programmes regularly in

coordination with other concern agencies and departments for the people of remote

coastal areas. Over 19,000 persons were trained in 2012 on the causes and

consequences of human trafficking.

Bangladesh Coast Guard has conducted a total of operations and has checkedvessels during the period from 1 January to 10 December, 2012. During this period,

Bangladesh Coast Guard apprehended a total of persons while trying to proceed toMalaysia illegally through the sea. Bangladesh Coast Guard has also rescued a total of

distressed persons from a sunken boat which was reportedly carrying illegal migrants to

Malaysia.

Bangladesh Coast Guard with its limited resources is fully committed to combat human

trafficking through the national waters of Bangladesh. Coast Guard's constant presence at sea

and in the coastal areas along with relentless efforts by its members has enabled this force to

reduce this problem remarkably. Coast Guard's mere presence serves as deterrence to illegal

human trafficking activities.

Short film made by Border Guard Bangladesh

5.5 Bangladesh Coast Guard

Some of the measures taken by Bangladesh Coast Guard are:

9,917 83,137

96

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•

•

•


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Bangladesh Ansar-Village Defence Party (VDP) is an organization of about 5.9 million

members out of which 50 per cent are women. This huge social force has the great privilege

to reach the remotest corner of the country. Through different courses and rallies, these

members are motivated and become aware of the consequences of human trafficking. It is

easier for them to identify the people who are involved in trafficking and to create massawareness against it.

Training Directorate of Bangladesh Ansar/VDP plans and designs a good number of multi-

dimensional training courses for its members in every fiscal year and grassroots levelmembers participate in these courses. In every course, the trainers follow specific lesson

plans on different modules as per needs and nature of tra inings but the subject of Combating

Human Trafficking is cross cutting which covers general concept of human trafficking, target

groups, causes and consequences of trafficking in women and children and probable preventive measures against trafficking. Through these courses, the members of Ansar-VDP

are highly motivated and become aware at grassroots level.

Some special trainings, workshops and seminars are jointly organized by some NGOs,

on reproductive health and gender issues, human trafficking, violence against women,

awareness against HIV/AIDS etc;

Every year Ansar/VDP organizes rallies/meetings at union, upazila, district and range

levels. Ansar/VDP members attend these gatherings where speakers highlight theseissues to motivate them.

Upazila/thana Ansar/VDP Officers conduct regular meetings with Union Leaders and

Ansar Commanders at their offices. They discuss the issues and get feedback regularlyon combating human trafficking in those meetings.

The most effective and huge training programmes of this organization is basic training ofAnsar/VDP members at grassroot levels. In the year 2012, total number of participants ofAnsar/VDP training was about 80,000 and out of which 50 per cent were women. These

trainings and rallies are playing a tremendous impact in creating awareness against

human trafficking at village levels where the probable victims live.

Ansar/VDP has started imparting technical and skill development training programmesto the vulnerable men and women to enable them for IGAs or overseas employment.

This will bring about a preventive impact on human trafficking.

The members of Bangladesh Ansar/VDP are playing a vital role on combating human

trafficking through building awareness amongst mass people of Bangladesh. They arerendering services to the society which cannot be counted but the positive impact of their

services can be realized.

Trafficking in persons has been a long-standing concern of the international community and

the United Nations. According to UN reports on the issue, trafficking, particularly in women

and children , is one of the fastest growing areas of organized crimes. Women and girls have

been increasingly trafficked within and across borders. They are subject to abuse, including

5.6 Bangladesh Ansar/Village Defence Party

5.7 Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Other a ctivities to bui ld awareness against Human Traff i cking are:

•

•

•

•

•


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sexual abuse and violence, in the course of trafficking, as well as other violations of their

human rights.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs takes necessary measures, in coordination with the relevantMinistries/agencies of the Government, to fulfill Bangladesh's reporting and national

compliance obligations pertaining to combating human trafficking. The Government of

Bangladesh is currently reviewing thesupplementing UNTOC, which

calls for the prevention, suppression and punishment for trafficking in people, for possible

accession thereunto.

Bangladesh co-sponsored the United Nations General Assembly Resolution 63/J 56 onTrafficking in Women and Girls during the 67th UN General Assembly (as in the previous

years).

Regionally, Bangladesh is a State Party to the SAARC Convention on Prevention and

Combating Trafficking in Women and Children for Prostitution. Bangladesh has contributedto institutionalizing the two mechanisms arising out of this Convention: ii) A Standard

Operational Procedure and ii) A Regional uniform toll-free help-line for women and

children. Bangladesh has been working at exploring the possibility of widening the scope of

the Convention. Recently, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has disseminated, through the

SAARC Secretariat, a Concept Note on making the SAARC Convention more

comprehensive and wider in scope beyond trafficking of women and children for prostitution.

Bangladesh is an active member of the Bali Process on People’s Smuggling, Trafficking in

Persons and Related Transnational crimes. Since its inception, Bangladesh has closely

engaged with the process, and participated in the meeting, conferences and workshops held

in this regard. In 2012, a number of combined delegations from the Ministry of ForeignAffairs and the Ministry of Home Affairs have participated in several meetings and

workshops dealing with policy and operational issues, including on immigration, border

control, travel documents examination, visa integrity criminal investigation, immigration

intelligence sharing, regional trafficking and irregular movement trends, victim support,

protection and rehabilitation.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs regularly participates in the work between Bangladesh and

India to deal with rescue, recovery, repatriation and integration (RRRI) of women and

children victims of trafficking. In 2012, the RRRI Joint Committee's Meeting was held inCox's Bazar. Again, and in various high-level political meetings, both sides reiterated their

commitment to continue to work together to combat human trafficking through enhanced

cooperation and exchange of information.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs sends, from time to time, general and specific guidelines toall Bangladesh Missions abroad on issues relating to human trafficking. The d irectives cover

UN Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and PunishTrafficking in Persons; Especially Women and Children,

Regional Initiatives:

Bilateral Initiatives:

Role of Bangladesh Missions abroad:


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issues relating to assistance to victims of trafficking and identifying and prosecuting the

perpetrators of traffick ing in coordination with the concerned authorities and non-government

organizations in the host countries of Bangladesh Missions abroad.

The Ministry of Primary and Mass Education (MoPME) has the mandate to ensure educationfor all in Bangladesh. The MoPME as an oversight agency concerned with children of

Bangladesh is playing a vital role to support counter trafficking initiatives led by the

government through motivation and awareness creation. Children are, especially, vulnerable

to be trapped by the traffickers. Raising awareness among the school children at an early agehas been considered as an essential part of fighting against human trafficking.

In accordance with the national policy of the Ministry of Home Affairs, the issue of

preserving women and child rights and protecting them from trafficking is discussed

regularly in district primary education coordination meetings, upazila/thana education

committee meetings, sub-cluster training, teachers monthly coordination meetings, SMCmeetings and parents-teachers association meetings.

Primary Teachers’ Training Institutes (PTI) are playing a significant role during courses in

education such as Certificate in Education and short courses training and workshops in

Upazila Resource Centers. The main objectives of these efforts are to make aware all

stakeholders, especially parents and local women against the detrimental effects of traffickingin women and children. The Divisional Deputy Directors offices under the MoPME collect

reports of these activities which are sent to the MoHA every month.

School teachers can play an important role to motivate poor and disadvantaged people and

enhancing government initiatives so that people’s participations will be increased aiming at

protecting women and children from traffick ing. The MoPME is involving teachers for

motivation and awareness creation on this issue among students at different levels.Bangladesh has achieved significant success in combating trafficking in women and children

in recent years through different social mobilization.

The unlawful traffickers allure the women and children by offering them job opportunitieswith higher salaries abroad. The MoPME has introduced stipend programmes for the poor

and disadvantaged children to enhance enrolment in the school with a view to attracting them

to schools which is supposed to reduce exploitation by the traffickers.

Number of awareness raising meetings o n bad effects of dowry

practice and violence a gainst women and children

10131

Signature campaigns against dowry practice and number of

signatory persons

122266

Cultural programmes such as short drama/ folk song withmessages of dowry and violence against women and children

7316

Essay writing and debate competition on dowry and violenceagainst women and children

7476

5.8 Ministry of Primary and Mass Education

A areness raising activities on dowry practice and violence against women

Activities Number of activities &

participants


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Class lecture in various trainings against dowry, women and

child r epression

Number of participants

21787

381231

Courtyard meetings

Number of participants

25048

660125Marriage without dowry 1230

Allegation/cases agains t dowry, women and children repress ion 516

Disposal of cases and allegation 248

Other preventive activities 4872

The Ministry of Social Welfare (MoSW) and Department of Social Services (DSS)

implemented programmes relating to publicity, motivation and awareness raising for

prevention of trafficking in women and children at district and upazila levels for the period

from January to October, 2012 which are given below:

Group Discussion and

Courtyard Meeting

People under poverty line who

received micro-credit and themembers of the Rural Mother’s

Centre at district and upazila levels

1852 30810

Motivation and

Awareness Raising

People under poverty line who

received micro-credit, themembers of the Rural Mother’s

Centre and other community

people.

2433 21433

Discussion sessions,

lecture, conference, rally

and postering

Target population and othercommunity people

1996 18067

Training service by the

Field Supervisor of

Union Social Workers

Members of the voluntary

organizations and target population

2109 21477

The Local Government Division (LGD) under the Ministry of Local Government, Rural

Development and Cooperatives (MoLGRD) is providing all out support and efforts in

combating human trafficking with special attention to rural areas through Local GovernmentInstitutions (LGIs).

Union Parishads (UPs) under LGD are the important LGIs working at the rural areas where

unemployed, landless poor youths are the main targets of the traffickers. They are playing a

vital role over the issue by using its members and village police. Village police are entrusted

with the duties to gather information on human trafficking, a part of maintaining law and

order in the respective areas and to inform police stations at their weekly meetings. Union

Parishad Chairman is the Chairperson and Union Parishad members are the members of the

5.9 Ministry of Social Welfare

Programmes Target group No. of theprogrammes

No, of people

motivated

Total 8390 91787

5.10 Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives


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Union Committees on Counter Human Trafficking, are organizing and attending meetings onregular basis to discuss the matter. They are also performing their duties and responsibilities

as per ToR of the Committees. Other LGI representatives - Upazila Chairman and Vice-Chairman are the advisors, UP Chairmen and Mayors of local municipalities are the members

to the Upazila Committees. These local government representatives are contributing at their

best in combating human trafficking.

The Ministry of Information as part of its mandated job publicizes the policies and

programmes of the government including the issues of human trafficking with dueimportance. The present democratic government believes in the unrestrained freedom of mass

media. The government has ensured free flow of information. At present, the journalists of a ll

media are performing their professional duties with absolute freedom. Bangladesh has a very

vibrant media with good number of television channels, radio stations and newspapers withonline editions and online news agencies.

The present government during its tenure has so far accorded permission to 14 private

television channels. Currently, three state-owned and 21 private television channels have been putting up their programs. As a part of the implementation of the present government's

manifesto the government has already given licenses for operating 14 community radio and

the community radio stations have been airing their programmes based on different socialissues including human trafficking. The government has also issued licenses to seven private

organizations to run FM radio stations. Currently, six of the FM radio stations are airing their

programmes. Bangladesh Betar, the state owned radio broadcasts programmes and newsthrough 12 regional centres and six special units across the country. More than 300 media

listed newspapers and another 800 newspapers are being published daily from different parts

of the country.

Bangladesh Television (BTV), the state owned television, bas been dedicating about threefourths of its total broadcasting hours for creating awareness among the people, serving

interest of the people and promoting national culture and heritage. Issue of combating human

trafficking gets due importance in the program schedule of BTV. BTV has the network

covering nearly 98 per cent territory of the country.

During the year 2012, BTV broadcasted one special programme of 25 minutes duration on

World Human Rights Day and another special programme of similar duration on Anti-Human

Trafficking. Besides, it aired five talk shows titled (Investigation) of ten

minutes duration each and four other talk shows titled (Bangladesh inDevelopment Process) of 25 minutes duration each inscribing the messages of anti- humantrafficking during the period. BTV also broadcasted six dramas on Women and Children

Development of 25 minutes duration each and another five short dramas titledof similar duration each comprising the messages on anti-human trafficking to

sensitize the people about the consequences of human trafficking during the year 2012.

These programmes on anti-human trafficking were also broadcasted on BTV World, anotherchannel of the state owned television channel. It may be mentioned here that BTV World

broadcasts its programmes through satellite. The private television channels are also veryvigilant on the issue of human trafficking and broadcast news items and reports on human

trafficking.

5.11 Ministry of Information

Anushandhan

Unnayane Bangladesh

Tabuo Sapno Dekhi


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The state owned radio Bangladesh Betar broadcasts programmes on different social issues

including anti-human trafficking issue through its 12 regional stations and six specialized

units across the country as part of its assigned job to motivate the people to curb human

trafficking. Bangladesh Betar broadcasts programmes on anti-human trafficking in different

formats like slogans, folk songs, motivational songs, spots, jingles, dramas, radio cartoons,

documentaries, dialogues, discussions etc. During the year 2012, the cumulative number of

such programmes stood a t 4,884. One of the documentary programmes of Bangladesh Betartitled (Thorns on the Way), a production for creating mass awareness on

women and children trafficking, was adjudged Special Jury Award-2012 by the Asia Pacific

Broadcasting Union (ABU). The Community Radio Stations as part of their pledge are playing significant roles by disseminating messages about human trafficking issues among

the masses.

The Department of Films and Publications under the Ministry of Information made three

documentary films titled to disseminate

message among the people on the severity and consequences of human trafficking throughdifferent TV channels, cinema halls and at the grassroots level.

The Department of Mass Communication, another allied organization of the Ministry isresponsible for carrying out mass campaign at the grassroots level of the country. During the

year 2012, the Department screened documentary films at 2,448 different remote places of

the country to make the people aware on human trafficking issue. The films titledmade by the Department of Films and Publications

were screened during the time.

The print media that includes, daily newspapers, weeklies and magazines of the country are

frequently publishing news items, investigative reports, articles and editorials. on humantrafficking issues to sensitize all concerned including the people and the government.

Besides, the present government has enacted Right to Information Act, 2009 paving the wayof providing government information to the people and other stakeholders. With the

enactment of the Human Trafficking Law, the people are entitled to get information from any

office.

Bangladesh is a developing country, however, employment scope for its growing population

is not wide. In pursuit of better employment opportunities, people of Bangladesh tend tomigrate to other countries. About 50 percent of Bangladeshi migrant workers are classified aslow skilled, 16 percent are semi skilled, 31 percent are skilled and 03 percent are

professionals. Bangladesh is one of the major labour sending countries in the world. TheMinistry of Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment (MoEWOE) is responsible to

manage the migration process, ensur e, welfare and protect the rights of migrants at home andabroad. By this time, MoEWOE has adopted a series of effective measures to reinforce legal

migration through the following strategies:

a) Expansion of overseas employment through exploring new labour market and

retaining existing market; b) Ensuring overall welfare of the expatriates;

Hanta Pather Kanta

Fera, Ondhokare Alor Disha and Becha- Kena

Fera,Ondhokare Alor Disha and Becha-Kena

5.12 Ministry of Expatriates ’ Welfare and Overseas Employment


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c) Human Resource Development on the basis of demand of local and overseas labour

market; and

d) Expedite the flow of remittance earned through the expatriates.

Beside these efforts, massive initiatives have been taken to digitize the migration

management process to ensure transparency and accountability in this regard. Despite of

Government initiatives, some recruiting agencies adopt some unfairmeans to tempt andexploit migration expectant people taking advantage of their lack of skill and unawareness.

This interrupts promoting safe migration of our work force.

Under the monitoring and Enforcement Wing, MoEWOE has formed the interministrial /

inter agency Vigilance Task Force (VTF) in July, 2010 which monitors the migration

process, ensures accountability and transparency of recruiting agencies and checks illegal practice in labour migration. The Joint Secretary( Monitoring and Enforcement) of the

MoEWOE is the head of the VTF which comprises with the representatives of respective

ministries / agencies such as MoHA, MoFA, MoHFW, MoC&T, MoWCA, BMET, BGB,

Bangladesh Police, Coast Guard, Ansar-VDP, RAB, NSI, JOM, WINROCK, ATAB andBAIRA.

From the very outset of the formation of VTF , a session of successful operations has been

conducted to identify illegal migration. In the similar manner , VTF raided 10 times at HazratShajalal International Airport in 2012. During these raids, a good number of passengers werecaptured for these illegal and forged documents. Subsequently, for VTF filed 02 cases atBiman Bandar and Turag Thana for such illegal migration activities. In order to strengthen

VTF, WINROCK is designing work plans and providing relevant technical supports. IOM is

supporting VTF with making gradation of recruiting agencies and formulating charter ofduties for respective members of VTF and also providing technical supports.

MoEWOE has proposed to setup a monitoring cell under the monitoring and enforcement

wing. According to the proposed setup, executive magistrates will be assigned there tooversea the migration process to ensure safe and legal migration.

The ministry is the licensing and regulating authority to the private and public (BOESL)

recruiting agencies. The main purpose of the regulation is to facilitate the recruiting agencies

in creating and expanding job opportunities for Bangladeshi nationals and to observe theiractivities for preventing exploitation of overseas job seekers.

Under this regulation, ministry has taken legal actions against a good number of recruitingagencies according to the complains and investigation. In 2012, ministry has cancelled

licenses of 10 recruiting agencies and confiscated and financial penalized of total Taka1,96,26,0001= ( One Crore Ninety Six Lac and Twenty Six Thousand ).

Online registration has been introduced in 2011 to avoid the interference of unauthorized

Vigilance Task Force

Setting up a Monitoring Cell:

Regulating the Recruiting Agencies:

More other activities to boost up migration process:

•


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inter mediators.

Data bank has been created and recruitng agencies are instructed to send workers from

the data bank.

SMART card has been introduced to store the personal data and job information of

respective migrant workers. This is a machine r eadable card which helps to preventforged passports and visas. Moreover , the biometric cross check 'finger print' of

concerned migrant workers is another important feature of this SMART card.Online complaint mechanism' has been set up. Migrant workers can file the complaintsthrough internet whenever they face any kind of problem including exploitation during

different phases of migration.

Probashi Kollyan Bank is in operation which is dedicated for the welfare of migrantworkers. From the beginning of its operation, this bank has disbursed approximately 17

corer Taka as credit to 1449 migrant workers including returnee migrants. For the sake of

prompt and easy remittance, this bank is expanding its exchange houses to the countrieswhere there are more Bangladeshi expatriates.

G2G labour recruitment is in operation, especially with Malaysia to avoid unlawfulemigration and to reduce migration cost.

One transit / shelter home are running under MoEWOE in mission abroad. This shelterhome are specially for the female migrant workers who run away from the sponsor s and

to assist her for repartition,

Under BMET, 37 Technical Training Centre (TIC) and an Institute of MarineTechnology (IMT) are running. About 65000 workers are trained each year in 45 trades.

Establishment of 30 new TICs and 5 IMTs are under process.

16 labour wings have been established with Bangladesh missions in 14 countries and

esta blishment of more 19 labour wings in 17 countries are under process.

Massive awareness programmes have been organized to make people aware of u sing the

proper channel of migration for safety.

MoEWOE and its department BMET are handling the migration management successfully

with the commitment in the line with declaration of dream for moving towards "DigitalBangladesh" by the Honorable Prime Minister.

Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation (BPC) as a government tourism organization always abides

by the trafficking laws and action p lan of the government. All the units of BPC including itshotels, motels and restaurants are vigilant against any crime of human trafficking. All the

units follow the BPC’s set guidelines while providing services and entertaining guests in its

hotels or motels. The guests both national and foreign have to fill up registration card prior to

checking into hotels/motels rooms stating their local and permanent addresses, passports (forforeigners), age and sex, earlier and next destinations.

Regular occupancy report stating guests’ information (viz. number of guests, nationalities,

length of stay, sex and purpose of visits) of all the hotels and motels have to be sent to thehigher authorities including the Police Department so that information of guests can be

understood. Hence, if any criminal or trafficker is check at into BPC’s motels or hotels, it caneasily be identified.

•

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•

•

•

•

•

•

•

5.13 Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation


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If any such incident occurs, the unit managers have been instructed to instantly inform the

local police administrations. BPC always demonstrates zero tolerance to any trafficking

issues in its establishments. BPC suggested that the Unit Managers of their hotels and motels

may be included in the district counter- trafficking committee and BPC’s concerned officialsmay be provided trainings in this regard.

Association for Community Development (ACD) has been working on north-western part ofBangladesh with disadvantaged, vulnerable groups and victims of violence, especially with

the women and children for their human rights and social justice since 1989. ACD works in

sectoral approaches which are Human Rights Sector, Child Rights Sector and Sustainable

Development Sector.

ACD does regular cross border coordination meetingsand visit homes/correctional homes in India for

coordination development, victim identification,

process for repatriation and provide support serviceswhen the victims are repatriated in Bangladesh. ACD

has been providing institutional care, support services

and rehabilitation support for survivors’ psychosocial

recovery and integration in the families andcommunities. Since 1999, ACD has been running two

separate shelter homes. Life skills education is provided

to them to empower and protect them from re-victimization. ACD does advocacy with local

administration, Border Guard of Bangladesh and police for proving necessary support to thevictims.

Anti-Trafficking Activities

ACD’s sensitization interventions and vigilance campaigns have reached out to

many unmarked routes where migration and trafficking is taking place. ACD has established

People’s Organizations (POs) and Counter Trafficking Committee (CTCs) at variouslocations to facilitate safe migration, working in

protection, rescue and playing supportive role in social

integration of victims. ACD has developed CTCs which

is consisted of local elected bodies, social leaders, localelites and key informer groups in the community. CTCs

themselves organize rallies, street dramas, meeting with

different groups of people and professionals such asteachers, journalists, law enforcing agencies, boatmen,rickshaw pullers and van pullers to raise awareness on

issues related to trafficking in persons.

ACD does advocacy and campaign programme towards preventing unsafe migration and

trafficking of women and children in the case management such as ACD tracks trafficking,

rescue them with the help of police, NGO, local elected bodies and community people andrestores them. The awareness generation programs are organized for vulnerable communities

6. NGO Activities to Combat Human Trafficking

6.1 Association for Community Development

Prevention:


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and promote community policing involving local government, police and local CBOs.

The rural community is made aware about their rights, entitlements, reproductive child healthand hygiene, child labour, trafficking, child education, educating them on the basic

provisions and their participation in the political mainstream through video shows, wallwritings, street dramas, (local music with humour), (traditional music),

information dissemination, public meetings, coordination meetings, networking and

advocacy. Youth Facilitators campaign in schools, colleges and (religious

institutions).

115 victims rescued, among them 65 victims of trafficking (male-29, female-36) werereferred by courts, police stations and local elected bodies to ACD shelter homes. 50

victims (20 boys and 30 girls’ age group 10-25) rescued from the borders and handedover to their families immediately.

14 (3 male and 11 female) victims were repatriated from and to India and integratedsuccessfully were Pushed back 4 (3 male and 1 female), (Home inquires of 35 (4 male

and 31 female) persons for repatriation has been done.12 victims were provided legal support by 7 cases.

126 children received life skill training, 20 involved in dance movement therapy. 56

victims integrated in their own families. CBOs have taken active part in restoring the

victims back in the ir families and regular follow up has been done.30 (24 men and 6 women) victims received rehabilitation support (sewing machine,grocery shop setup).

Contribution was made in the formulation of Trafficking Deterrence and Suppression

Act, 2012 by providing information, feedback, suggestions and recommendationsreceived from grassroots to national level.

Assessed the gaps and stakeholders’ perception on National Plan of Action forCombating Human Trafficking to ensure adequate awareness, capacity and accountability

in implementing the laws on trafficking and to coordinate actions against the crime.

Since three decades, Bangladesh National Woman Lawyers’ Association (BNWLA) is

fighting to create equal opportunities and equal rights for every woman and child in thecountry. BNWLA promotes the rights and status of women lawyers alongside fighting for

access to justice for all women & children particularly for the most disadvantaged women

and children in Bangladesh. The programs and service provisions of BNWLA are particularly

targeted at the poorest and most disadvantaged areas of the country where comprehensivelegal service delivery program along with others preventive and protective supports in

establishing human rights and resisting violence against women and children is most needed.

Bangladesh National Woman Lawyers’ Association (BNWLA) has been working to fight

against human trafficking in Bangladesh for last three decades as a pioneer human rights

organization in Bangladesh. The organization has also been working to provide legal

assistance to ensure rights of trafficked victims, migrant workers and their families especially

for women & children through delivering legal aid, psychosocial support, shelter support,

Community driven awareness campaign:

Significant Achievements:

6.2 Bangladesh National Women L awyers Association

Gomvira potgan

madrassa

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§

§

§

§

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rescue/release, repatriation, research on various issues on safe migration, trafficking and

especially for women & children. Capacity building of relevant stakeholders and advocacy

for reform/amendment/enactment of laws & policies are the main interventions of BNWLA.

BNWLA has been playing a vital role within the Government-NGO national coordination

committee to stop human trafficking. BNWLA worked closely with Ministry of Home

Affairs (MoHA) in navigation and implementation committee for formulated thecomprehensive law entitled “The Human Trafficking Deterrence and Suppression Act 2012”.It has been providing technical support to the committee in formulation of different policies

and strategies to stop Human Trafficking in Bangladesh. BNWLA worked closely with

Ministry of Home Affairs in a committee with other national and international NGOs to

evaluate National Plan of Action (NPA) 2008 to Combat Human Trafficking in Bangladeshand formulated a new NPA 2012-2014. The organization worked closely with MOHA to

revise the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) between Indo-Bangladesh with the objective

of strengthening the process of rescue, repatriation, rehabilitation and integration of

trafficked women and children.” BNWLA has also provides technical support to the alliancethat has been set up by the Director General of the Department of Women Affairs for

combating trafficking in women and children. This is yet another laudable initiative taken by

the government in partnership with NGOs in Bangladesh.

During 2012, BNWLA rescued and released a huge number of victims of trafficking from

various confinements such as police stations, brothels, cage brothels, safe custody etc withinthe country. The organization also has repatriated trafficked victims from India, Nepal,

Lebanon, Oman and UAE and rehabilitated with access to standard care and services such as

counseling, medical support, life skill and vocational training, education-formal, in-formaland reintegrated them into society. Along with these supports, BNWLA providedcomprehensive legal assistance to the victim of trafficking to ensure access to justice and

strengthen prosecution.

BNWLA works on prevention, protection and prosecution as approaches of intervention foroperating anti-human trafficking initiatives. The major achievements of BNWLA in the year

2012 are given bellow according to the three approaches of its interventions:

Learning session with school tea cher on child protec tion issues 44

Learning session with parents on good parenting at community level 48

Training on CSAET with children for capacity building 20

Training on child protection issues with Upazilla administration, NGOsrepresentatives and civil society members

4

Awareness at community level to stop illegal migration and trafficking

(Awareness session, campaign, courtyard)850

Coordination meeting with Union Porishad 24

Advocacy workshop for policy adoption and formulation at national

level1

Sensitization session at Detective training school on trafficking issues 20

Legal awareness campaign 105

Prevention

Awareness Raising and Sensitization Activities Achievements


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country report 2012 bd

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