Security agency officials and policymakers at a discussion on Wednesday reaffirmed Bangladesh鈥檚 commitment to combat human trafficking, recognising it as a grave violation of human rights and a serious form of organised crime.
Aligning with its commitment, the government already took a number of significant legal steps and practical actions, they said at the event organised marking World Day Against Trafficking in Persons 2025.
The home ministry and the Counter-Trafficking in Persons Technical Working Group formed under the Bangladesh United Nations Network on Migration jointly hosted the event at a city hotel, highlighting the global theme 鈥楬uman trafficking is organised crime鈥攅nd the exploitation鈥�.
Home ministry additional secretary Khondakar Md Mahabubur Rahman at the programme said that Bangladesh remains committed to eliminating trafficking in persons through strengthened legislation, enhanced institutional capacity and deeper regional and international cooperation.
鈥楶rotecting victims and ensuring justice must remain central to our efforts,鈥� he stressed.
Speakers from law enforcement agencies, development partners, UN entities along with civil society representatives also reaffirmed their shared resolve to dismantle trafficking networks, strengthen protection systems and uphold the rights of the victims and survivors.
Bernd Spanier, European Union delegation head to Bangladesh, said that human trafficking was one of the most severe violations of human rights. 聽
鈥楥ombating irregular migration and trafficking in persons is a priority for Europe and promoting safe, legal and dignified labour migration to Europe is our objective,鈥� he said.
He said that in their efforts they were guided by the EU anti-trafficking strategy, which focused on reducing demand, breaking the traffickers鈥� business model and providing support to the survivors, women and children in particular.
With every person not trafficked, one more victim is protected, and one more life is restored, he stated.
Sujin Kong, deputy country director to the聽Korea International Cooperation Agency which is a South Korean governmental organisation, also underscored her government鈥檚 commitment to supporting Bangladesh and its partners in building a society where every person could live in freedom, safety and dignity.
Lance Bonneau, acting UN resident coordinator in Bangladesh, chief of mission of the International Organisation for Migration, and coordinator of the Bangladesh United Nations Network on Migration, called on all to act collaboratively to stop human trafficking.
