In an insightful interview with Professor Md. Zakir Hossain, Dean of the Faculty of Law at the University of Chittagong and a member of Bangladesh’s Judicial Service Commission, he discusses the pervasive issue of human trafficking in Bangladesh, especially in the context of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) training for law enforcement officers.
Nature and Scale of Trafficking in Bangladesh
Professor Hossain describes human trafficking as a crime against humanity, likening it to modern-day slavery. Its manifestations in Bangladesh include trafficking for sexual exploitation, forced prostitution, domestic servitude, and forced labor. The professor emphasizes that this issue is not solely a national concern; it is a global crisis requiring concerted efforts from various stakeholders.
The statistics paint a grim picture: over the past 30 years, more than one million women and children have reportedly been trafficked from Bangladesh. Monthly, an estimated 400 individuals fall victim to trafficking. Alarmingly, a significant number of victims are trafficked across borders, particularly into India and Pakistan, often under false pretenses of better opportunities.
Root Causes of Trafficking
According to Professor Hossain, key factors fueling human trafficking in Bangladesh include poverty, gender discrimination, widespread illiteracy, lack of awareness, and poor governance. These socio-economic conditions create fertile ground for traffickers to exploit vulnerable populations.
Legal Framework and Challenges
Bangladesh lacks a comprehensive legal framework to tackle human trafficking. Existing laws, such as the Penal Code of 1860 and the Suppression of Immoral Traffic Act of 1933, address various aspects of trafficking but do not collectively provide a robust anti-trafficking law. The professor advocates for a legal approach that prioritizes the physical, emotional, and psychological well-being of victims.
Bangladesh has also made commitments through international agreements, such as the UN Convention against Transnational Organized Crime (UNTOC) and related protocols. However, more action is needed to ratify and implement these international standards effectively.
Strategic Recommendations
Hossain calls for a shift from a repressive to a rights-based strategy to combat trafficking in the region. He believes that effective laws must be vigorously enforced, which requires substantial training for law enforcement personnel. Improving the SAARC Convention to align with international protocols is also essential for regional cooperation.
He emphasizes the need for collaborative efforts among South Asian countries to approach human trafficking not as a national issue but from a humanitarian perspective. Constructive dialogue among these countries can facilitate better victim support, investigation, and prosecution processes.
Conclusion
The ongoing SAARC training initiative in New Delhi for law enforcement officers exemplifies the potential for regional collaboration in combating human trafficking. Professor Hossain views this as a crucial first step toward building meaningful partnerships that enhance the response to human trafficking in South Asia. His insights underscore the importance of integrating efforts at local, national, and regional levels to effectively address this complex issue.
