Although human trafficking from Bangladesh to various countries is an old issue, it has recently been associated with detention and ransom. The human trafficking syndicate collects huge sums of money by sending the videos and pictures to the families of those detained in Libya, Myanmar, and Thailand, with the promise of taking them to Europe. Trafficking gangs have become desperate as it is not possible to bring them to justice.
Every year, the US State Department publishes a report on human trafficking worldwide. The latest 2023 report also mentioned that Bangladesh has not made progress in efforts to eliminate human trafficking.
Bangladeshis, Pakistanis, Afghans, and Iranians are involved in the human trafficking ring, says the non-governmental organization BRAC. They have built a circle in the Middle East for a long time. Some without money, some with Tk 40–50 thousand, and some with Tk 2–3 lakh. They initially showed a dream of going to Europe in the beginning without money, some with Tk 40–50 thousand, or some with Tk 3 lakhs. Those who want to pay less money are told with attractive conditions that after reaching the destination, the remaining Tk 2–3 lakhs should be paid by working.
The BRAC report also said that the gang has sophisticated weapons. They have rented houses in the jungles of Libya, Myanmar, and Thailand and in towns and villages that are used as torture cells. The relatives of the arrested person have to pay lakhs of takas in the country to get their release from there. They repeatedly threatened to kill and bury the people who went abroad if the ransom money was not paid.
Professor Dr. Tania Haque, a member of the National Human Rights Commission, told the Kahaborer Kagoj, "People are not even aware. They are tempted to go abroad with less money. Then they definitely fall into the trap."
Immigration experts say that people from 64 districts of Bangladesh do not take such risks to go abroad. People from 10–12 districts of a certain region regularly go to Europe by crossing the sea in this way. They boarded the boat, risking 15-20 lakhs to the brokers. International trafficking gangs are taking Bangladeshi nationals along with the citizens of war-torn countries. In this case, Bangladesh can benefit from the cooperation of Interpol.
Immigration experts say that people from 64 districts of Bangladesh do not take such risks to go abroad. People from 10–12 districts of a certain region regularly go to Europe by crossing the sea in this way. They boarded the boat, taking risks like this by paying Tk 15–20 lakhs to the brokers. International trafficking gangs are taking Bangladeshi nationals along with the citizens of war-torn countries. Bangladesh can take advantage of the cooperation of Interpol in this case.
Shariful Hasan, head of BRAC's migration program, told the Khaborer Kagoj, "There is a need for coordinated operations against traffickers by the government and law enforcement agencies. It is also a question of the image of Bangladesh."
There is no progress in ending human trafficking, says the US State Department
Every year, the US State Department publishes a report on human trafficking worldwide. The report, known as The Report of Trafficking in Persons (TIP), divides the countries of the world into several categories. Bangladesh has been included in the 'Tier-2' category in 2023 in continuation of the previous few years. It means there is effort, but Bangladesh has not achieved the minimum standard.
Countries that achieve minimum standards in their efforts to combat human trafficking are placed on the 'Tier-1' list. Countries where progress is slow and trafficking is increasing despite efforts are placed on the 'Tier II' watch list. Countries with low effort and no progress are placed in the 'Tier-3' list.
The US State Department's 2023 report includes recommendations for training relevant officials, including law enforcement, labor inspectors, immigration officials, and health care providers, to combat human trafficking, ensure services to victims, and ensure transparency in the recruitment process.
"Bangladesh has been working for a long time to build partnerships with international stakeholders to combat human trafficking. Bangladesh's 'Tier-2' status in the US State Department's TIP report for consecutive years testifies to the effectiveness of the government's continued efforts under the 'Zero Tolerance' policy," said Masud Bin Momen, Foreign Secretary, in this regard.
Six thousand cases—less than one percent of the cases—are convicted.
The government enacted the Prevention and Suppression of Human Trafficking Act in 2012 to prevent human trafficking. More than 6,000 cases have been filed under this law from 2012 to 2023. More than 10,000 people are victims of trafficking in these cases. The total number of accused is about 30 thousand.
Almost all of these cases have been pending for years. Less than one percent of cases were convicted. However, the victims alleged that the sentence was not exemplary.
The issue has also come up in the 2023 report of the US State Department. The report alleged that Bangladeshi courts fined most traffickers instead of jail time. This undermines the prevention of human trafficking and creates security concerns for victims of trafficking.
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) is assisting the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to bring back Bangladeshi victims of trafficking. Destitute Bangladeshis are regularly returning home from Libya through the airport. When they landed at the airport, they were given Tk 6,000 by the IOM for handling expenses.
In this context, IOM Bangladesh Officer-in-Charge Fatima Nusrat Ghazzali said, "There is a need for an integrated system based on the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms of all people to combat human trafficking. We need to redouble our outreach efforts and increase our support for every victim.”
People are not aware either
> It is important to pay attention to the sea route.
> There should be severe punishment.
