Media professionals urged to raise awareness on trafficking prevention on workshop

A day-long awareness workshop for media professionals on the 'Human Trafficking and Migrant Smuggling Prevention and Suppression Act-2026' was held at the CIRDAP auditorium in the capital on Thursday, May 14. The Ministry of Home Affairs organised the workshop in collaboration with Justice and Care.

Senior Secretary of the Public Security Division of the Ministry of Home Affairs, Manjur Morshed Chowdhury, attended as the chief guest. Additional Secretary Dr Ziauddin Ahmed presided over the session, with Joint Secretary Rebeka Khan as special guest. Country Director of Justice and Care, Mohammad Tarikul Islam, presented the keynote paper.

The Senior Secretary said human trafficking and migrant smuggling have emerged as a global problem, and Bangladesh is highly committed to solving this issue. He noted that the government formulated the new act in line with the UN Convention (UNTOC) adopted in 2000 and its supplementary protocols.

The new law emphasises strict measures against traffickers while also ensuring the protection and rights of victims. Modern crimes such as online fraud, scamming and extortion have been brought under this law. The Senior Secretary stressed that media professionals must play a strong role in creating public awareness.

Under the new law, investigation agencies have been strengthened. Provisions such as freezing bank accounts, seizing property and trials in absentia have been included. Passport or visa forgery for migrant smuggling will also be considered a punishable offence.

The previous law of 2012 did not clearly differentiate between human trafficking and migrant smuggling. The new act defines them as separate offences, aligned with UN protocols. All provisions related to human trafficking and migrant smuggling have been brought under this single act for the first time.

New penalties include 3-7 years imprisonment for providing property for trafficking or assisting by concealing documents, 3-10 years for transferring a person for sexual exploitation, and 3-7 years for fake job advertisements or migration fraud online.

Investigating officers can now apply powers of the Money Laundering Prevention Act 2012 to freeze bank accounts and verify assets of traffickers. Human trafficking tribunals can simultaneously try other related offences. Mutual legal assistance has been strengthened to seize assets located abroad.

Threatening a victim or witness carries 3-7 years imprisonment, while forcing a settlement carries 2-5 years. A victim who unintentionally commits an illegal act while being trafficked will not be considered an accused. Responsible officers must submit reports every six months on the condition of victims in shelter homes.

Forty-eight representatives from leading print and electronic media outlets participated in the workshop. Speakers expressed hope that proper implementation and awareness campaigns would reduce illegal migration and uproot human trafficking gangs.