Country Report 2012 BD

Combating Human Trafficking
Bangladesh Country Report, 2012
Ministry of Home Affairs

Government of the Peoples Republic of Bangladesh
Dhaka, Bangladesh
CONTENTS
Page
Foreword
Abbreviations and Acronyms
1. Introduction
2. 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 to

Combat Human Trafficking
5.1.
6.
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 Primary 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
19
5.7
Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation
20
NGO Activities to Combat Human Trafficking
21
6.1.
Association for Community Development
21
6.2.
Bangladesh National Women Lawyers Association
22
6.3.
Centre for Women and Children Studies
24
6.4.
Dhaka Ahsania Mission
28
6.5.
Khan Foundation
30
6.6.
Rights Jessore
31
6.7.
Refugee and Migratory Movement and Research Unit (RMMRU)
34
6.8.
UDDIPAN
35
7.
8.
Counter Trafficking Activities of International Organizations
36
7.1.
International Organization for Migration
36
7.2.
United Nations Children Emergency Fund
38
7.3.
Winrock International
40
7.4.
World Vision
43
Initiatives to Address the Plight of Trafficked Victims and Survivors
45
8.1.
45
8.2.
46
8.3.
47
8.4.
50
8.5.
Khan Foundation
51
8.6.
51
9. Conclusion
54
Foreword
Migration of human beings started since the beginning of human civilization. Modern technology has turned the
world 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 situation encouraged the
domestic and 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 addressed all forms of trafficking including prostitution, various forms of sexual exploitation, pornography,
forced labour or services, debt-bondage, slavery or servitude, or practices similar to slavery, 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 be
taken 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 are
not mentioned in the report.
We are confident that this Country Report will help us in realizing our collective goal to reduce vulnerability of
potential victims as well as to promoting repatriation, rehabilitation and empowering the victims to save
the mselves 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 valuable contributions in preparing the report. Concerned ministries, departments,
development partners and NGOs also deserve thanks for their direct or indirect efforts in giving inputs to the
report.
C Q K Mustaq Ahmed
Senior Secretary
Government of the Peoples Republic of Bangladesh
&
Chairperson of the National Committee
for Combating Human Trafficking
Abbreviations and Acronyms

AC
Assistant Police Commissioner
ABU
Asia Pacific Broadcasting Centre
ACD
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
Association
Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters
BMET
Bureau of Manpower, Employment and Training
BNWLA
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 Post
BTV
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
Mechanism
Community based work to Develop Child Protection
CEDAW
Convention on the Elimination of All forms of Discrimination

against Women
CIC
Community Information Centre
C- in-Ed
Certificate in Education
CID
Criminal Investigation Department
CRC
Convention on the Rights of the Child
CTC
Counter Trafficking Committee
CTWF
Counter Trafficking Women Forum
CWC
Community Watch Committee
CWC
Community Watchdog Committee
CWCS
CWG
Community Watch Group
DAM
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
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
MLAT
Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty
MoEWOE
Ministry of Expatriates Welfare and Overseas Employment
MoHA
MoFA
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
MoLGRD
Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and

Cooperatives
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
SHISUK
Shikkha Shastha Unnayan Karzakram
SOP
Standard Operating Procedure
TED
Theatre for Development
THB
Trafficking in Human Beings Cell
TIP
Trafficking in Persons
ToR
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
1.Introduction
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 crossborder crime, it also occurs within national 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 intracountry 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 to
migrate for a better life will continue to be vulnerable to tra fficking.
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 all 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 of fundamental human rights. 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 provide
for the legal regime against human trafficking.
Currently, the Ministry of Home Affairs has been in the lead role of coordinating countertrafficking activities. Other relevant ministries are also actively engaged in countertrafficking activities and are extending their cooperation to the Ministry of Home Affairs.
Moreover, there are various committees and sub-committees working under the Ministry of
Home Affairs for policy making. These include inter-ministerial representatives, NGOs and
INGOs working on combating human trafficking. They have been working in a concerted
way.
9
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.
The Human Trafficking Deterrence and Suppression Act 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 only
solution 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 and
identified 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 combat human trafficking.
1. Progress Summary of Law Enforcing Agencies January-December 2012

Prosecution :
No of cases lodged:
No of accuseds arrested:
No of cases charge -sheeted:
Final reports submitted:
No. of cases under investigation:
Cases disposed of:
Number of cases disposed
Cases ended in conviction
Cases ended in acquittal
Persons convicted
Life imprisonment
Other term
Persons acquitted
Number of trafficked persons:
Number of trafficked persons rescued/recoverd by:
Police
BGB
RAB
Self
Rehabilitation of trafficked persons to:
Parents
NGO
Government/safe homes
209
128
84
33
92
45
8
37
11
10
1
97
422
333
253
19
1
60
325
3
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.
10
3. Legal Framework, National Policies and National Plan of Action, 2012 -14
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 preventing
and 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 and
of sale of or traffic in children for any purpose or in any form 1 (article 35) and to combat the
illicit transfer and non -return of children abroad (article 11). Under the two Protocols to the
CRC, 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
take all appropriate measures, including legislation, to suppress all forms of traffic in
women and exploitation of prostitution of women (article 6). Other treaties providing for
ancillary 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 of Slavery, Slave Trade and
Institutions 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 UN Convention against
Transnational Organized Crime, 2000. Bangladesh has also recently ratified another
ancillary international instrument, namely, the UN Convention on the Protection of the Rights
of All Migrant Workers and Members of their Families, 1990. 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 UN Protocol to Prevent,
Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, 2000 (Palermo Protocol) 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 and
children.
Enactment of the Human Trafficking Deterrence and Suppression Act, 2012 in line with
international instruments followed by the formulation of the National Plan of Action, 20122014 for Combating Human Trafficking sought to design activities for the implementation
of 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.
11
The National Plan of Action, 2012 -2014 for Combating Human Trafficking
The National Plan of Action, 2012 -2014 for Combating Human Trafficking is an essential
tool for defining the responsibilities of key stakeholders in the fight against human trafficking
in 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 crossborder human trafficking in Bangladesh. Building on the previous action plans and other
related 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 a
centralized 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. The Human Trafficking Deterrence
and Suppression Act, 2012 defines 'human trafficking" as:
The selling, buying, recruitment, receipt, transportation, transfer, or harbouring of
any 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 payments or benefits to achieve the consent of a
person having control over another person.
The NPA, 2012 has assumed the task of translating into reality the Human Trafficking
Deterrence and Suppression Act, 2012 that requires both government agencies and non-state
actors to undertake certain actions to effectively suppress human trafficking and protect the
victims 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 N ational P lan of Action Combating

Human Trafficking 2012-14 on 19th May, 2012
12
Basic Principles and Objectives

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:
Guiding Principles
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 all
during the rehabilitation, rescue and criminal justice processes (protection of victims
from 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 per se and between the government agencies, INGOs and NGOs;
Conformity with other relevant policies of the Government; and
Bangladesh's solidarity with the international community and efforts.
Principal Objectives
To provide for certain implementable activities to prevent and suppress human

trafficking and protect the trafficking-victims;
To allocate the responsibilities amongst various government agencies and other
implementing organizations for the implementation of these activities and monitoring
the application/enforcement of existing laws.
National Plan of Action aims to:
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 reintegration 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-government
organizations levels, both at home and abroad, with a view to effectively combating
human trafficking; and
Create responsibility for monitoring and reporting NPA activities, and to make aware all
stakeholders and counter-trafficking committees about their responsibility to promote the
implementation of the laws and the NPA, 2012.
13
Core Goals and Strategies

Goal 1: Prevention of Human Trafficking, Awareness and Mobilization
Strategies:
Mobilize and aware people against Human Trafficking and better coordination in
awareness 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/unsafe
migration and hence the risk of human trafficking; and
Livelihood support programs introduced for people most at risk as a prevention strategy.
Goal 2: Protection of Trafficking Victims/Survivors
Strategies:
Protective measures initiated, expanded, strengthened and monitored (including the role
of 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.
Goal 3: Prosecution of Human Trafficking Offences
Strategies:
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.
Goal 4: Development of Partnership, Participation, Co-ordination, and Cross-country

Mutual Legal Assistance
Strategies:
Coordination established among implementing agencies and good information sharing

system developed;
Dialogue with main destination countries developed and agreements signed for enhanced
RRRI process and improved care for survivors in destination countries.
14
Goal 5: Development of a Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting System

Strategies:
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 under
Ministry of Home Affairs to monitor the implementation of NPA on regular basis and to
expedite its proper execution by concerned key stakeholders.
4. Third Bilateral Meeting of Bangladesh and India Task Force on Res cue,
Recovery, Repatriation and Integration (RRRI) of Human Trafficking
Victims of trafficking are often treated as criminals in destination countries and even
sometimes 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 part
of implementing the National Plan of Action, the Third
Agreed minutes s ignin g by the leaders of
Meeting of RRRI Task Force on Human Trafficking
Bangladesh i and In dian delegates
between India and Bangladesh was held in Cox's
Bazar, Bangladesh from 8-9 December, 2012. The
Bangladesh delegation consisted of 25 members led by
Dr. Kamal Uddin Ahmed, Additional Secretary
(Political), Ministry of Home Affairs, Governme nt of
the People's Republic of Bangladesh. The Indian
delegation consisted of 10 members led by Shri K
Skandan, Additional Secretary (CS), Ministry of Home
Affairs, 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 sides:
a) To take further effective preventive measures in the respective countries including
strengthening border controls, raising awareness and taking effective legal actions
against 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
15
(CBMP) and agreed to enhance it further;
b) Human trafficking being recognized as a transnational organized crime, both sides

agreed 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 at
appropriate level in BSF/BGB and to hold regular meetings;
d) To hold regular meetings at the Task Force level of the Ministry of Home Affairs
of 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. Both
countries 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 between

the 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
travel 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 per
the Coordinated Border Management Plan (CBMP) and identify more such
vulnerable patches; and
p) To engage local population in identification of traffickers and generating public
movement 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.
16
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 Peoples Republic of
Bangladesh.
RRRI taskforce members to attend 3 rd Bilateral Meeting between India and Bangladesh at
Coxs Bazar held in 8-9 December, 2012
5. Initiatives and Measures of Government Ministries and Departments to

Combat Human Trafficking
Bangladesh government has being continuously taking pro-active steps and measures to
combat all forms of human trafficking, especially trafficking in women and children since
2004. 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.
5.1 Ministry of Home Affairs
The Ministry of Home Affairs has been the lead Ministry to address the issues of human
trafficking 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 new
law 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 prepared
with 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
17
human trafficking. The present Plan of Action has outlined the responsibilities of concerned
government 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.
5.2
Bangladesh Police
Bangladesh Police has been actively participating in Bangladesh Governments 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 is
a 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 concluded
in 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 lifeterm imprisonment and 87 received monetary penalties and imprisonment of various
duration. 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 trafficking.
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 Integrated Crime Data Management System (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 the
traffickers 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.
Bangladesh Police especially works on the following aspects:
Prevention: Police officers take part in mass awareness, motivational and sensitization
programmes at different levels in the society including educational and religious institutions.
18
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 and
11,632 police personnel had received training on this issue in 2012.
Protection: 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 Reform
Program 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.
Bangladesh Police Special Branch, Immigration Wing
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 world
class 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 one
railway 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 even
collect 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. From
Special 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 provides
information to all immigration check posts. Immigration police is also using Mobile Interpol
Network Device (MIND), a very modern and sophisticated Interpol database. by using this
database 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:
19
Fake visa
PC
Men
Women
Men
284
436
Imposter
Fake persons
Fake seal
Others
Women
Men
Women
Men
Women
Men
Women
Men
Women
15
180
95
64
37
2531
189
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
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 or
legal 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.
5.3
Rapid Action Battalion
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 has
limited scope in investigation and rehabilitation phases of human trafficking. However, in the
detection 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 criminals
for justice. Moreover, its regular monitoring and domination over the areas in question has
deterred many efforts regarding trafficking in women and children.
Achievements of RAB
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 from
1 January-10 December, 2012. On the other hand, 5 operations have been conducted to
rescue 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 persons
for necessary judgments.
20
Rescue and arrest related to abduction cases
No of operations
145
1 January to 10 December 2012

Persons arrested with regard to Rescued victims
abduction cases
276
182
Rescue and arrest related to cases of trafficking in women and children
No of operations
1 January 10 December 2012

Persons arrested due to
Rescued women and children
trafficking in women and
victims
children
5.4
Women
2
Children
9
Total
11
Border Guard Bangladesh
Preventive efforts
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) all
along the border will definitely enhance the capability of monitoring borders more
effectively.
Rescue and Recovery of Trafficked Women and Children

BGB units have been given strict instructions to rescue and recover the trafficked women and
children and apprehend the traffickers. During the period from January, 2012 till 10
December, 2012, BGB had rescued and recovered 255 women and 86 children and had
arrested 10 traffickers in this connection.
Training
Training Directorate of Border Guard Bangladesh plans and designs a good number of multidimensional training courses for BGB members in every fiscal year. In every course, the
trainers follow specific lesson plans on different modules as per needs and nature of trainings
but the subject of Combating Trafficking of Women and Children is a must. That lesson plan
mostly covers general concept of human trafficking, target groups, causes and consequences
of trafficking in women and children and probable preventive measures against trafficking.
21
Short film made by Border Guard Bangladesh

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 the
local 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.
5 .5
Banglades h Coast Guard
Bangladesh Coast Guard is actively engaged in combating human trafficking through the
national 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.
Some of the measures taken by Bangladesh Coast Guard are:
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 prevent
abuse of women and children;
Regular checking of all ships and crafts using India-Bangladesh river transit routes at
various 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 9,917 operations and has checked 83,137
vessels during the period from 1 January to 10 December, 2012. During this period,
Bangladesh Coast Guard apprehended a total of 96 persons while trying to proceed to
Malaysia illegally through the sea. Bangladesh Coast Guard has also rescued a total of 26
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.
22
5.6
Banglades h Ans ar/Village Defence Party
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 mass
awareness against it.
Training Directorate of Bangladesh Ansar/VDP plans and designs a good number of multidimensional training courses for its members in every fiscal year and grassroots level
members participate in these courses. In every course, the trainers follow specific lesson
plans on different modules as per needs and nature of trainings 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.
Other activities to build awareness against Human Trafficking are:

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 e tc;
Every year Ansar/VDP organizes rallies/meetings at union, upazila, district and range
levels. Ansar/VDP members attend these gatherings where speakers highlight these
issues 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 regularly
on combating human trafficking in those meetings.
The most effective and huge training programmes of this organization is basic training of
Ansar/VDP members at grassroot levels. In the year 2012, total number of participants of
Ansar/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 programmes
to 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 are
rendering services to the society which cannot be counted but the positive impact of their
services can be realized.
5.7 Ministry of Foreign Affairs

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
23
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 relevant
Ministries/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 the UN Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish
Trafficking in Persons; Especially Women and Children, supplementing 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 on
Trafficking in Women and Girls during the 67th UN General Assembly (as in the previous
years).
Regional Initiatives:
Regionally, Bangladesh is a State Party to the SAARC Convention on Prevention and
Combating Trafficking in Women and Children for Prostitution. Bangladesh has contributed
to 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 Peoples 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 Foreign
Affairs 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.
Bilateral Initiatives:
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 in
Cox'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.
Role of Bangladesh Missions abroad:
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs sends, from time to time, general and specific guidelines to
all Bangladesh Missions abroad on issues relating to human trafficking. The directives cover
24
issues relating to assistance to victims of trafficking and identifying and prosecuting the
perpetrators of trafficking in coordination with the concerned authorities and non-government
organizations in the host countries of Bangladesh Missions abroad.
5.8 Ministry of Primary and Mass Education

The Ministry of Primary and Mass Education (MoPME) has the mandate to ensure education
for 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 age
has 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, SMC
meetings 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 trafficking
in 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 peoples participations will be increased aiming at
protecting women and children from trafficking. 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 opportunities
with 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.
Awareness raising activities on dowry practice and violence against women

Activities
Number of awareness raising meetings on bad effects of dowry
practice and violence against women and children
Signature campaigns against dowry practice and number of
signatory persons
Cultural programmes such as short drama/ folk song with
messages of dowry and violence against women and children
Essay writing and debate competition on dowry and violence
against women and children
Number of activities
participants
10131
&
122266
7316
7476
25
Class lecture in various trainings against dowry, women and

child repression
21787
381231
Number of participants
Courtyard meetings
25048
660125
1230
516
248
4872
Number of participants
Marriage without dowry
Allegation/cases against dowry, women and children repression
Disposal of cases and allegation
Other preventive activities
5.9 Ministry of Social Welfare

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:
Programmes
Target group
Group Discussion and

Courtyard Meeting
People under poverty line who

received micro -credit and the
members of the Rural Mothers
Centre at district and upazila levels
People under poverty line who
received
micro-credit,
the
members of the Rural Mothers
Centre and other community
people.
Target population and other
community people
Motivation and
Awareness Raising
Discussion sessions,
lecture, conference, rally
and postering
Training service by the
Field Supervisor of
Union Social Workers
Total
Members of the voluntary

organizations and target population
No. of the
programmes
1852
No, of people
motivated
30810
2433
21433
1996
18067
2109
21477
8390
91787
5.10 Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives

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 L ocal Government
Institutions (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
26
Union Committees on Counter Human Trafficking, are organizing and attending meetings on
regular 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 ViceChairman 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.
5.11 Ministry of Information

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 due
importance. 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 all
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 with
online 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 social
issues 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 news
through 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 three
fourths 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 Anushandhan (Investigation) of ten
minutes duration each and four other talk shows titled Unnayane Bangladesh (Bangladesh in
Development Process) of 25 minutes duration each inscribing the messages of anti- human
trafficking during the period. BTV also broadcasted six dramas on Women and Children
Development of 25 minutes duration each and another five short dramas titled Tabuo Sapno
Dekhi of 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, another
channel 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 very
vigilant on the issue of human trafficking and broadcast news items and reports on human
trafficking.
27
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 at 4,884. One of the documentary programmes of Bangladesh Betar
titled Hanta Pather Kanta (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 signif icant 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 Fera, Ondhokare Alor Disha and Becha-Kena to disseminate
message among the people on the severity and consequences of human trafficking through
different TV channels, cinema halls and at the grassroots level.
The Department of Mass Communication, another allied organization of the Ministry is
responsible 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 titled Fera,
Ondhokare Alor Disha and Becha-Kena made 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 human
trafficking issues to sensitize all concerned including the people and the government.
Besides, the present government has enacted Right to Information Act, 2009 paving the way
of 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.
5.12
Ministry of Expatriates Welfare and Overseas Employment
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 to
migrate to other countries. About 50 percent of Bangladeshi migrant workers are classified as
low 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. The
Ministry of Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment (MoEWOE) is responsible to
manage the migration process, ensure, welfare and protect the rights of migrants at home and
abroad. By this time, MoEWOE has adopted a series of effective measures to reinforce legal
migration through the following strate gies:
a)
b)
Expansion of overseas employment through exploring new labour market and

retaining existing market;
Ensuring overall welfare of the expatriates;
28
c)
d)
Human Resource Development on the basis of demand of local and overseas labour
market; and
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 and
exploit migration expectant people taking advantage of their lack of skill and unawareness.
This interrupts promoting safe migration of our work force.
Vigilance Tas k 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 and
BAIRA.
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 Hazrat
Shajalal International Airport in 2012. During these raids, a good number of passengers were
captured for these illegal and forged documents. Subsequently, for VTF filed 02 cases at
Biman 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 of
duties for respective members of VTF and also providing technical supports.
Setting up a Monitoring Cell:

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 to
oversea the migration process to ensure safe and legal migration.
Regulating the Recruiting Agencies :

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 their
activities for preventing exploitation of overseas job seekers.
Under this regulation, ministry has taken legal actions against a good number of recruiting
agencies according to the complains and investigation. In 2012, ministry has cancelled
licenses of 10 recruiting agencies and confiscated and financial penalized of total Taka
1,96,26,0001= ( One Crore Ninety Six Lac and Twenty Six Thousand ).
More other activities to boos t up migration process:

Online registration has been introduced in 2011 to avoid the interference of unauthorized
29
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 rea dable card which helps to prevent
forged 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 complaints
through internet whenever they face any kind of problem including exploitation during
different phases of migration.
Probash i Kollyan Bank is in operation which is dedicated for the welfare of migrant
workers. 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 countries
where there are more Bangladeshi expatriates.
G2G labour recruitment is in operation, especially with Malaysia to avoid unlawful
emigration and to reduce migration cost.
One transit / shelter home are running under MoEWOE in mission abroad. This shelter
home are specially for the female migrant workers who run away from the sponsors and
to assist her for repartition,
Under BMET, 37 Technical Training Centre (TIC) and an Institute of Marine
Technology (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
establishment of more 19 labour wings in 17 countries are under process.
Massive awareness programmes have been organized to make people aware of using 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 "Digital
Bangladesh" by the Honorable Prime Minister.
5.13
Banglades h Parjatan Corporation
Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation (BPC) as a government tourism organization always abides

by the trafficking laws and action plan of the government. All the units of BPC including its
hotels, motels and restaurants are vigilant against any crime of human trafficking. All the
units follow the BPCs 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 (for
foreigners), 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 the
higher authorities including the Police Department so that information of guests can be
understood. Hence, if any criminal or trafficker is check at into BPCs motels or hotels, it can
easily be identified.
30
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 BPCs concerned officials
may be provided trainings in this regard.
6.
NGO Activities to Combat Human Trafficking
6 .1
Association for Community Development (ACD) has been working on north-western part of
Bangladesh 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 meetings
and visit homes/correctional homes in India for
coordination development, victim identification,
process for repatriation and provide support services
when 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 and
communities. 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 the
victims.
Anti-Trafficking Activities
Prevention: ACDs sensitization interventions and vigilance campaigns have reached out to
many unmarked routes where migration and trafficking is taking place. ACD has established
Peoples Organizations (POs) and Counter Trafficking Committee (CTCs) at various
locations 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, local
elites and key informer groups in the community. CTCs
themselves organize rallies, street dramas, meeting with
different groups of people and professionals such as
teachers, 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 and
restores them. The awareness generation programs are organized for vulnerable communities
31
and promote community policing involving local government, police and local CBOs.
Community driven awareness campaign:
The rural community is made aware about their rights, entitlements, reproductive child health
and hygiene, child labour, trafficking, child education, educating them on the basic
provisions and their participation in the political mainstream through video shows, wall
writings, street dramas, Gomvira (local music with humour), potgan (traditional music),
information dissemination, public meetings, coordination meetings, networking and
advocacy. Youth Facilitators campaign in schools, colleges and madrassa (religious
institutions).
Significant Achievements:
6 .2
115 victims rescued, among them 65 victims of trafficking (male-29, female-36) were
referred 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 handed
over to their families immediately.
14 (3 male and 11 female) victims were repatriated from and to India and integrated
successfully 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 their 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 recommendations
received from grassroots to national level.
Assessed the gaps and stakeholders perception on National Plan of Action for
Combating Human Trafficking to ensure adequate awareness, capacity and accountability
in implementing the laws on trafficking and to coordinate actions against the crime.
Banglades h National Women Lawyers Association
Since three decades, Bangladesh National Woman Lawyers Association (BNWLA) is

fighting to create equal opportunities and equal rights for every woman and child in the
country. 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 comprehensive
legal service delivery program along with others preventive and protective supports in
establishing human rights and resisting vio lence 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,
32
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 the
comprehensive 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 Bangladesh
and 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 alliance
that 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 within
the 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, informal
and reintegrated them into society. Along with these supports, BNWLA provided
comprehensive 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 for

operating anti-human trafficking initiatives. The major achievements of BNWLA in the year
2012 are given bellow according to the three approaches of its interventions:
Prevention
Awareness Raising and Sensitization Activities
Learning session with school teacher on child protection issues
Learning session with parents on good parenting at community level
Training on CSAET with children for capacity building
Training on child protection issues with Upazilla administration, NGOs
representatives and civil society members
Awareness at community level to stop illegal migration and trafficking
(Awareness session, campaign, courtyard)
Coordination meeting with Union Porishad
Advocacy workshop for policy adoption and formulation at national
level
Sensitization session at Detective training school on trafficking issues
Legal awareness campaign
Achievement s
44
48
20
4
850
24
1
20
105
33
Protection
Rescue/Release and Repatriation of survivors of trafficking
Rescue/release
Repatriation
Reintegration
Livelihood support/job placement
Shelter support
Achievement s
160
146
153
4
136
Prosecution
Trafficking related cases
Number of cases lodged
Trafficker arrested
Case under investigation
Charge sheet
Case on trial
Total Achievement
20
35
9
11
11
Milestone achievements during 2012:
BNWLA had been advocating for improving existing prosecution system for dealing with
trafficking cases in Bangladesh. In this regard, number of workshops has been organized
by the organization to create a platform with national and international NGOs in
cooperation with Government to improve prosecution system.
BNWLA filed the first case under the enacted law The Human Trafficking Deterrence
and Suppression Ordinance, 2011 in Bangladesh. The detail of the case is Jamal Hossain
Vs Momtaj Begum Case no: 2, Faridpur Kotoali Police Station dated: 2/1/2012 under
section 6(2), 7, 11 of The Human Trafficking Deterrence and Suppression Ordinance
2011.
6.3 Centre for Women and Children Studies

Centre for Women and Children Studies (CWCS) has been working as a research and
advocacy organization since 1994, especially addressing the issues related to trafficking in
women, adolescent girls and children. Presently, the Centre has also been working to provide
healthcare services with free medical treatment and medicines through referral system
between Information Health Booths and hospitals under the Ministry of Health and Family
Welfare in Satkhira district. CWCS is also conducting advocacy to integrate quality
healthcare services in government hospitals for the victims to save victims from
stigmatization and to ensure the social integration of victims/survivors into the mainstream
society. CWCS conducted research on various women and children issues, with special focus
on trafficking as well as migration for policy advocacy to bring about changes in the existing
laws, government measures and interventions.
CWCS has been an active member of the various committees and has been working closely
with the Ministry of Home Affairs. The Centre is a member of Go-NGO National
Coordination Committee to Combat Human Trafficking, Steering and Implementation
Committees for formulating the comprehensive law entitled, Human Trafficking Deterrence
and Suppression Act, 2012, Convenor of Sub-Committee in preparing the Bangladesh
34
Country Reports to Combat Human Trafficking and Draft Sub-Committee in formulating the
three years National Plan of Action for Combating Human Trafficking, 2012-2014 as well as
the implementing partner of the NPA.
The Centre has initiated various counter-trafficking projects namely Integrated Health
Service Oriented Referral System for Victims of Trafficking and Sexual Exploitation and
those in vulnerable situation (March 2012- February 2013) ; Gateway to Employment and
Economic Empowerment for Survivors of Trafficking (2011-2012) and Motivational Training
for Youth Volunteers to Promote Safe Migration and Combat Human Trafficking (20112012) and The Role of Recruitment Agencies in Recruitment Process to ensure Safe
Migration in order to prevent Human trafficking 2011-2012 with the aim to combat human
trafficking and promoting safe migration in collaboration and cooperation of key
stakeholders at the grassroots as well as national level.
Project areas : Chapai Nawabganj, Coxs Bazar, Jessore and Satkhira
Moreover, there are 20 Community Watch Committees in 20 unions under 4 upazilas namely
Debhata, Kaliganj, Kalaroa and Satkhira Sadar in Satkhira district.
Major activities and strategies being undertaken by CWCS during 2012
Project title: Integrated Health Service Oriented Referral System for Victims of
Trafficking and Sexual Exploitation and those in vulnerable situation in Satkhira
district (2012-2013)
Strategy 1: To enable access to quality information and integrated healthcare
services directed to victims of trafficking and sexual exploitation and those in
vulnerable situation (right holders)
Activities
Strategies and participation
Community awareness meetings
38 Community Awareness Meetings were
organized in 34 communities of 20 unions under 4
upazials in Satkhira district. About 34,680
community people including 16,675 men, 11,600
women and 6,355 adolescents and children were
sensitized about health risks and consequences of
victims of trafficking and sexual exploitation and
those in vulnerable situation through folk song on
human trafficking presented by folk artists.
Anti-trafficking and health risks

awareness school campaigns
Organized 35 anti-trafficking and health risks

awareness school campaigns being attended by
3,311 students among whom 2,445 secondary
school going students (1,732 girls and 713 boys)
and 867 madrasah going students (684 girls and
182 boys)
35
Courtyard meetings
Organized 38 courtyard meetings being attended

1,146 vulnerable women and girls of whom 462
village women and 684 adolescent girls.
Vu lnerable
women awareness
meetings with micro-credit women,
Vu lnerable Group Development
(VGD) women, Vulnerable Group
Feeding (VGF) women card
holders and Rural Employment
Opportunities for Public Assets
(REOPA) women workers
Organized 62 Vulnerable women awareness

meetings being attended by 1,854 women
comprising 579 micro-credit women, 599
Vulnerable Group Development (VGD) women,
503 Vulnerable Group Feeding (VGF) women
card holders and 173 Rural Employment
Opportunities for Public Health (REOPA) women.
Strategy 2: To promote concerted efforts and improved coordination among

Community Watch Committee members consisting of local government
representatives, teachers, religious leaders, lawyers, journalists, political leaders
and NGOs.
36
Advocacy meetings with

Ministry of Health and Famliy
Welfare (MoHFW)
representatives at district level
in order to start integration of
health services
3 advocacy meetings with 30 doctors and nurses of

Satkhira Sadar hospital under MoHFW were organized.
31 victims were referred to Satkhira Sadar Hospital
from Information Health Booth in 2012.
Strategy 3: To increase capacity and involvement of health service providers (duty

bearers ) to enable the provision of integrated healthcare services directed to
victims of trafficking and sexual exploitation and those in vulnerable situation
Project title: Gateway to Employment and Economic Empowerment for Survivors of

Trafficking (2011-2012)
Strategy 1: To ensure sustainable rehabilitation of survivors or potential victims of
trafficking by providing job placement in garment factory at Dhaka
Project title: Motivational Training for Youth Volunteers to Promote Safe Migration in
order to Prevent Human Trafficking (2011-2012)
Strategy 1: To motivate youth volunteers to promote safe migration and to combat
human trafficking
Achievements of CWCS:
Women-friendly environment and confidentiality have drawn of victims to come to
Niramoy Information Health Booths in Parulia, Debhata upazila, Satkhira district who
have not gone to any public or private hospitals even though they were suffering from
various diseases for many months;
Referral system developed at Satkhira district in providing integrated healthcare services
to the victims of trafficking and sexual exploitation among government hospitals, NGO
facilities and Information Health Booth;
Unidentified victims of trafficking and sexual exploitation were identified and received
necessary healthcare services ;
Health service providers of Satkhira Sadar Hospital and Upazila Health Complexes are
sensitized to provide healthcare services to the victims of trafficking and sexual
exploitation;
Community based prevention and protection system developed in some areas in Satkhira
district and 20 victims of trafficking rescued;
37
Victims received confidential healthcare services at Information Health Booth s and

encouraged other victims to receive such healthcare services.
6.4
Dhaka Ahsania Mission as an active partner of the civil society in Bangladesh, recognizes the
role it can play in undertaking various measures against trafficking in women and children
and accordingly in September, 1997, DAM initiated the Child and Women Traff icking
Prevention (CWTP) programme for the reduction of trafficking as well as for the repatriation,
reintegration and rehabilitation of the survivors of trafficking and the programmes have been
implemented in six vulnerable border belt districts at Southwestern part of the country since
then. Goal of CWTP is to empowering the community to promote a safe living environment
for the poor women and children and thus ensure the human rights. DAM has almost two
decades of experience in working in the field of trafficking prevention programmes and
DAMs overall activities can be divided in three categories which are Prevention,
Protection (Support to the survivors for rehabilitation), limited Prosecution Services
and Repatriation.
Action for Combating Trafficking in Persons (ACT) project started in 2008 to enhance
and standardize protection and care for survivors of human trafficking and enhance the
capacities of the local communities in Jessore district of Bangladesh to protect its most
vulnerable members and provide victims of trafficking with adequate services and support.
Activities are:
Survivors Voice Group (Anirban) members organized 16 communities and family

meetings and discussed with community people regarding various dimensions of
trafficking, how to identify trafficked survivors, where to get support for them, whom
to contract to seeking services for the survivors .
On 30 June 2012, Anirban members working as advocate on the behalf of the
survivors to establish their rights, organized an interactive dialogue session with the
local journalists.
On 25 June 2012, one theatre workshop was organized for the survivors and the
Anirban members in RRF Training Centre.
On 27-28 June 2012, a two-days training for the four local NGOs from Shatkhira,
Magura, Narail and Jhenidah was organized where trainees were given orientation
and in- depth information on human trafficking.
Survivors are taking part in the Anirban

Convention
Survivors are taking part in the Anirban

Convention
38
Missing Child Alert (MCA) is being jointly implemented by DAM and Plan Bangladesh
in 5 upazilas and 20 unions of Jessore and Satkhira districts from October , 2012-December,
2014. The Missing Child Alert Project is designed to prevent child trafficking, especially
cross-border and protect victims of child trafficking through Regional Missing Child Alert
System, functioning within and across Bangladesh, Nepal and India. It is a regional
initiative which aims to trace, rescue, and protect trafficked children and women linking
with national level protection mechanism and preventive project intervention for greater
impact of regional collaboration. The goal of the project is to reduce the incidence of crossborder child trafficking in South Asia. The objective of MCA project is to develop and test
a model cross-border anti-child trafficking mechanism by linking national and regional
efforts to address cross-border child trafficking between Bangladesh, Nepal and India.
Rescue/Release, Repatriation, Rehabilitation and Integration (RRRI) of Trafficked
survivors through Shelter Homes
Rescue/Release : A number of 165 trafficked survivors were rescued during 2012 and
enrolled in Shelter Home for further services. DAM received lots of survivors through its
existing local partner organizations like Rights Jessore, Jagarani Chakra Foundation, Savior,
World Vision and Jamalpur Transit Home of DAM. Besides, DAM received some survivors
through Courts.
Repatriation: There is regular communication with the NGOs, shelter home s of different
states of India for repatriation of trafficked victims through the RRRI Task Force of
Bangladesh and India. DAM regularly attended the meetings of the Task Force and GO-NGO
Coordination Committee under Ministry of Home Affairs.
Rehabilitation and Integration:
The survivors received in the Shelter Homes provided a comprehensive service packages
considering their needs and choices mentioned below:
Service packages
Basic services
Physical and mental healthcare
Education
Life skill training
Implementation
165 survivors received basic services of safe
accommodation, food and clothes.
68 survivors received health support and all the survivors
received primary healthcare and some were referred to
Smiling Sun for providing immediate health care etc .
184 survivors were provided with individual and group
counseling.
92 survivors based on need assessment received nonformal education while 3 received formal education
support.
Four life skills trainings were held for 160 survivors.

Survivors who were rescued they were provided the
mandatory life skills training that helped them to
39
increase their life skills to take right decisions and make

right choices for their future.
50 survivors received legal counseling and victim
received legal support in 9 cases received from the court.
Legal assistance
Vocational training
Reintegration of the survivors
20 survivors received vocational training on different

trade based on their need assessment.
110 survivors were integrated. Among them:
76 were integrated in the families, 16 were provided jobs
in different places, 3 were provided internship
opportunity in different organizations and 15 were
provided small business support.
6.5
Khan Foundation
Human trafficking and violence of women as well as children are major concerns in
Bangladesh and Khan Foundation has been working effortlessly to reach the very deprived
and disadvantaged groups of women. In this regard, since 2009, Khan Foundation is working
to ensure human rights by protecting women and children from trafficking and violence
under the programme entitled: Women in Need-Combating Trafficking and Violence
against Women Using Mobile Hotlink by implementing 24 hours mobile hotlink services
for combating human trafficking through awareness building activities like human chains,
rallies, community watch groups and parents meeting, courtyard meetings, and distributed
behavioral change communication materials like posters, leaflets, stickers at grassroots
levels .
Activities
Protection and Prevention Activities

(January- December 2012)
Number
CWG
Awareness Raising Meeting for
Combating Human Trafficking
Rally
Human chain
Trafficking and violence case
handling
Poster distribution
Leaflet distribution
Sticker dstribution
Print media coverage
121 upazailas under 37 districts

108
Total
participants
2598
2621
2892
1919
126
12
9
9 district
4 types (20,000)
1 type (30,000)
2 types (35,000)
Nearly 48 local and national newspapers
24 Hours Mobile Hotlink Services
40
Hotlink center is successfully running this service through telephone, SMS and email from all
over the country. This service provides instant support to the victims with the assistance of
local NGOs and CWG members. In this regard, 50 mobile sets were distributed to the focal
persons to receive and disseminate referral, networking and linkage activities on trafficking
and violence issues. BCC materials were distributed with cell phone numbers through sharing
meetings and interpersonal communication. A total of 2,598 CWG members and community
people are using 24 hours mobile hotlink numbers to protect trafficking and violence against
women and children.
Awareness raising activities
About 108 parents and courtyard meetings along with community watch groups, 12 rallies
and 9 human chains were organized in the project districts and upazilas. The awareness
building activities are running successfully to bring together men, women and youth, local
administrations, local government representatives, law enforcement agencies, lawyers,
teachers, cultural activists and the media highlighted the issues on combating trafficking and
violence against women and children using 24 hours mobile hotlink system. Nearly 48 local
and national level newspapers covered these activities. About 10,030 people who participated
had shown their solidarity to reduce trafficking and violence from society.
Case handling for victims of trafficking
Local Focal Persons along with Community Watch Group members took part and played a
positive role to remove trafficking and violence against women and children at grassroots
level. Law enforcement authorities, local administrations, local government representatives,
marriage register, press/media and local community provided quick response and support to
protect and rescue trafficked persons and victims. Most of the cases were solved through this
network successfully. About 126 trafficked people were rescued of whom 78 were women,
29 children and 17 men and these cases were reported through 24 hours mobile hotlink
services. Among them 115 people were prosecuted while 11 were not prosecuted.
6.6
Rights Jessore
Rights Jessore as a signif icant stakeholder of National Plan of Action 2012-14 has taken a
variety of initiatives to for its implementation. It has continued its efforts in prevention,
prosecution and protection of human trafficking and especially invested its effort to improve
the prosecutorial process of human trafficking cases.
Prevention initiatives:
Activities
Community meeting
Implementation and participation

100 community meetings organized and outreached 4,999
community people with the human trafficking and safe
migration related information so that the community can take
informed decisions with regard before they migrate and can
identify the incidences of human trafficking within their
community.
41
School and college orientation
Union level orientation

workshop
Stage drama
One -to-One Session

Bazar meeting and folk song
Community Mobilization
Meeting
Meeting with potential migrants
at community level
Volunteer group formation
Volunteers group orientation
on TIP and safe migration
Capacity Building training of

UP level ATU members
Referral service to DEMO
registration
Video projection on TIP and
safe migration
Partnership meeting with the
transport workers of local area
Capacity building training for
girls guide and boys scout on
TIP and safe migration
Single women training on
capacity building
96 school orientation sessions conducted on safe migration and

human trafficking with the support of community level Counter
Trafficking Committee and reached 8,724 school students and
608 (308 female 300 male) college students at different
community level schools in Jessore.
8 workshops organized at Union Parishad in 8 different unions
in Jessore participated by 199 community stakeholders and
discussed on ways forward to prevent trafficking at community
level. Subsequently, 8 union level Counter Trafficking
Committee (CTC) were forme d.
10 stage dramas organized at remote rural areas to disseminate
the human trafficking related issues among the communities and
reached 13,120 community people.
2,789 sessions organized with 2,331 men and 458 women
through peer approach to reach the community.
12 bazar meetings with folk songs organized and outreached
8,275 community people (4,150 men and 4,125 women).
25 community mobilizations meetings organized at grassroots
level attended by 1,207 people (426 women 781 men).
1,207 potential migrants oriented at community level regarding
human trafficking and safe migration process so that they can
take informe d decision.
7 volunteer groups at community level were formed to carry out
different prevention activities at field level.
5 orientation sessions organized with 171 (117 men and 4
women) volunteer group members on human trafficking and
safe migration issues to build capacity of the volunteers, and one
follow-up meeting was organized with the volunteers.
5 capacity building trainings conducted for UP level ATU
members and local community on human trafficking and safe
migration attended by 102 participants (83 men 16 women).
36 potential migrants were referred to Jessore DEMO for
registration and other services.
6 video shows were organized on anti-trafficking issues
attended by 6,800 community people.
2 meetings organized with transport union members and
workers in Jessore to build partnership in combating human
trafficking being attended by 57 workers and union members.
One capacity building training was organized with girls guide
and boys scout on trafficking and safe migration and they
committed to work for prevention of human trafficking.
One capacity building training was organized for the single
women so that they can be capable of protecting themselves
from human trafficking attended by 18 single women.
42
Sensitize meeting with BGB

members
Organized a sensitization meeting with BGB at Benapole BOP

of BGB, Jessore with the view to sensitize them about crossborder human trafficking issues and to get their support in this
regard. The meeting was attended by Commanding Officer of
26 Battalion BGB Lt. Col. Abul Kalam Azad, Acting Sector
Commander Lt. Col. Rabiul Alam along with 23 Camp
Commanders of BGB.
Pr otection Initiatives:
Hotline mobile service
Fact findings initiatives
Rescue
Repatriation
Reintegration of trafficked
victims
Hotline service operates 24 hours and 3 mobile numbers are

dedicated. Received many calls of which 78 cases identified as
human trafficking, early marriage and other forms of human
rights violations.
98 fact finding were conducted of potential and incidences of
human trafficking upon receipt of the information through
hotline service and other sources.
7 women victims rescued with the help of local authority, law
enforcement agencies and BGB.
102 (6 men and 96 women) survivors of human trafficking were
repatriated.
86 repatriated survivors reintegrated, 2 locally rescued victims
were sent back to their families, and 21 survivors supported with
alternative livelihood.
Prosecution Initiatives:
Advocacy Meeting with LegalEntities
Organized 2 Advocacy Meetings with police investigation

officers in Jessore with an objective for effective
implementation of the new law on Hu man Trafficking 2012
and to establish victim-friendly investigation process. About 41
investigation officers, P ublic Prosecutor and Superintendent of
Police, Jessore attended the meetings.
Meeting with the Lawyers:
Organized 4 meetings in 3 districts with 70 prominent lawyers

to find a way forward in improving Prosecutorial Process to
ensure Justice of Human Trafficking Cases and to sensitize the
lawyers with regard to the human trafficking cases . The newly
enacted law on Human Trafficking and outs ide court settlement
of TIP cases were shared with them in the meeting. The
participants stormed their brain find ways forward to improve
the prosecutorial process of the human trafficking cases.
Advocacy Meeting with Media

Personnel: Steps towards assisting
prosecution through investigative
Organized 5 advocacy meetings with journalists in Narail,

Jessore and Satkhira for increasing their interest about
investigative reporting on TIP cases that could contribute to
43
journalism
Dialogue Session with the

Judiciary: Steps towards
improvement of prosecutorial
process of Human Trafficking
improvement of prosecutorial system of human trafficking

cases. About 115 veteran journalists participated in the
meetings. How investigative reporting can contribute to
improving prosecutorial process of TIP cases and victims
confidential issues were major in the discussion topics and
changes were observed in the reporting of journalists who
participated in the meetings.
To inform the Judiciary with regard to the context of outer
court settlement of the TIP cases and to have appropriate
interpretation of the newly enacted HDTSA 2012 RJ has
organized 3 advocacy meeting with the Judiciary in Narail,
Jessore and Satkhira where 53 learned judges participated.
Refugee and M igratory Movements Res earch Unit (RMMRU)

The Refugee and Migratory Movements Research Unit (RMMRU), an affiliate of the
University of Dhaka, has been functioning as a research, training, and policy advocacy
institution since 1996. Its primary focus has been on migration, refugee, displacement, and
governance issues. In 1996 , RMMRU was established to study population movements both
within and across national borders. Over the years, advocacy, awareness campaign, and
training also became part of core activities of RMMRU.
Safe Labour Migration: Ensuring Access to Information and Services (MT) Project:
o RMMRU provide 4 types of day long training related to safe migration and antitrafficking through 2 field offices in Tangail and Faridpur to promote migration;
o Pre -departure trainings for potential migrants on safe migration process;
o Pre -decision orientations for aspirant migrants on safe migration process;
o Training for District level migrants service providers/officers;
o Training for participants of housekeeping trade organized by Technical Training
Centers.
In the year 2012, RMMRU provided trainings covering 25 districts namely Jamalpur,
Tangail, Sherpur, Mymensingh, Netrokona, Kishoreganj, Sunamganj, Sylhet, Moulvibazar,
Habiganj, Brahmanbaria, Narsingdi, Naraynganj, Dhaka, Manikganj, Faridpur, Gopalganj,
Madaripur, Shariatpur, Chuadanga, Magura, Jessore, Khulna, Satkhira and Rajbari.
Training/workshop and number of participants
Name of Training/workshop
Pre -departure trainings
Pre -decision orientations
Training for District level
migrants service providers
Training for participants of
housekeeping trade
Total
Batches
2
9
6
Male
147
116
Female
53
87
18
Total
53
234
134
433
458
21
268
591
879
44
Moreover aiming to Ensure Protection of migrant labour through Improvement in

Recruitment Practices in Bangladesh, RMMRU organized a workshop with the Bangladesh
Association for International Recruiting Agencies (BAIRA) on 26 April, 2012. A total
number of 29 (men 25, women 4) participants from different recruiting agencies, concerned
ministries and other government institutes, representatives of donor agency and grassroots
organizations attended the workshop. Besides trainings, RMMRU provided suppor t to about
2 ,616 people in the following areas: visa checking of potential migrants, MRP passport
making, securing bank loan, death related information service, support BMET online
registration, counseling and lodge complaint online. It also carried out various awareness
programmes on safe migration, anti-trafficking through distributing IEC materials, day
observation, easy completion.
6.8 UDDIPAN
UDDIPAN as a reputed national level NGO has been involved in different development
initiatives from its inception. UDDIPAN is immensely and proactively trying to reduce
human trafficking through its different ongoing and implemented development initiatives as
central focus or supportive programme activities. It primarily initiated its programme as a
component of protecting children through its Child Development Programme (CDP) from
1996 now renamed as Education to Protect Child and Youth Labour in Agriculture
(EPCYLA after 2011). UDDIPAN also initiated a project, namely, Rural Urban Child
Migration project (RUCMP) from January 2011 by financial support from European Union
and Save the Children International. All these development initiatives have given significant
importance on children and women trafficking.
Significant accomplishments from January till 10 December 2012:
Formation and regular meeting of Community Watchdog Committee:
Under Rural Urban Child Migration Project ( RUCMP) a total of 180 Community Watc hdog
Committee s (CWGs) were formed at four different locations in the country, namely,
Daudkandi, Kachua, Comilla and Mirpur of Dhaka city corporation respectively. These
committees are concentrating on establishing child rights , especially to protect migrant
children from risks of trafficking through awareness raising meetings and participating in
campaign programmes. In addition, SHAPAK (Community Watchdog Committee of
EPCYLA project) also organized 135 community meetings giving special emphasis on
children and women trafficking with an aim to reduce the humiliating practice of traffickers
by its already formed 45 committees at different nine locations namely Lohagora, Dohazari
and Banskhali of Chittagong district, Daudkandi of Comilla, Kachua of Chandpur, Veramara
and Alardorga of Kustia and Pirojpur and Nesarabad of Pirojpur district.
Formal and Informal Education Programme:

UDDIPAN has been assisting to formal education system as well as executing its own nonformal education in EPCYLA project areas with an aim at ensuring quality education and
basic education. Under this programme, at least 390 meetings were organized at 45 formal
45
schools with teachers, students and relevant people. A total of 9,750 guardians and parents of
learners participated in these meetings. In addition, 150 awareness raising activities were
undertaken by its non-formal ed ucation programme in the meetings, trafficking impacts and
its remedial procedures were discussed keenly and elaborately. About 15 nonformal schools
has been regularly organizing different meetings like parents and guardians meeting as well
as school management committee meetings where discussion are based on child trafficking
and mechanisms to reduce such crime.
Cultural and Mass Campaign Programme:
Different cultural activities were organized in the project areas, such as, Theatre for
Development (TFD) , cultural shows, rallies. At least 33 TFD were organized where proactive
participation of stakeholders was remarkably observed. Through these activities , a total of
10,000 people participated to gain basic awareness on trafficking impacts along with other
societal issues. About 28 rallies, school debates and discussions were organized through the
proactive participation of community stakeholders and along with other prime issues,
trafficking and its impacts on society was also elaborated through posters, festoons and
dialogues.
Community based organizations:
A total of 323 community organizations namely 80 community information centres, 18 child

clubs, 225 watchdog committees were formed by the integral participation of community
people and children. Through these organizations, regular meetings, cultural shows and other
mass awareness programmes were being organized to create awareness a mong people on
human trafficking. A total of 3,960 committee members of these community based
organizations were involved directly with the events provided by the self motivated and
driven community based organizations.
Community engagement:
There are about 40 Community Information Centres (CIC) in specific working areas where
there were trafficked children who returned from Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Still now,
there is continuing follow-up action of the CICs for proper utilization of the money which
was provided to returnnee trafficked children by the government and also giving proper
guidance, motivation and close follow-up so that they are not retrafficked . This initiative ha s
been going on under the project of Community based work to Develop Child Protection
Mechanism (CDCPM) funded by the UNICEF Bangladesh. In 2009, the project has been
phased out but the community initiatives are going on as per their social commitment.
7. Counter Trafficking Activities of INGOs

7.1
Prevention
46
Various awareness raising activities were carried out

at the grassroot levels through the help of partner
NGOs. The activities included meeting with teachers
and students and courtyard meetings. A total of 358
teachers, 9,896 students and 11,407 community
people were reached through these activities. In
addition, cultural events and folk dramas were
organized to create mass awareness in Coxs Bazar
and Bandarban. A total of 40 shows were performed
reaching approximately 23,325 community people.
Moreover, 20 religious leaders from different faiths
were involved to disseminate counter-traff icking
messages through Friday congregational prayers at
Religious Leaders Training
Islamic schools, pujas, in churches and also at
different religious and social gatherings. A total of
65,363 people were reached within 3 months.
Cultural Programme
IOM supported partner NGOs at three Help Centres

in Chittagong, Coxs Bazar and Bandarban districts.
These Help Centres provided support to the victims.
Accommodation, food, medication, counseling and
legal services were available in these Help Centres.
A total of 36 victims of domestic violence, rape, fraud and physical torture received support
from these Help Centres. Apart from this the health worker provided services to 1,600 female
patients of antenatal care, post- natal care and delivery wards in the different hospitals.
Protection
IOM supported partner NGO Bangladesh National Womens Lawyers Association
(BNWLA) to provide services to the victims of trafficking including labour trafficking.
During 2012, 105 victims of trafficking were supported that included transport, shelter, food,
medical and legal support. Four cases were also filed under the new Human Trafficking
Deterrence and Suppression Act, 2012. Apart from
Help Centre
this, life skill training was provided to some of them so
that they can earn their livelihood.
In Coxs Bazar and Bandarban districts, IOM provided
through partner NGOs a small grant to 900 students
(adolescent girls) in different sub-districts, especially
to those girls who were poor, vulnerable and potential
school drop-outs. Government officials were present
during the distribution among the female students.
Prosecution
LEA Training
Trainings were provided for the law enforcement

agencies (Police, Bangladesh Border Guards, Coast
Guards and Ansar/VDP). A total 80 persons were trained
on various issues of trafficking including investigation
techniques and how to provide support to victims. In
47
addition, orientation session on the new Human Trafficking Deterrence and Suppression Act,
2012 with the public prosecutors was organized and police trainings were organized on the
SOP on Trafficking in Human Beings and other Organized Crime and the training manual on
Investigation of Human Trafficking Cases which helped the participants to know more about
different techniques to deal with human trafficking cases. A total of 49 investigation officers
attended the training programmes. Under the Joint Programme on Violence Against Women
(JP-VAW), IOM undertook capacity building measures for the judiciary to prosecute
trafficking offenders. A total of 588 judges and 308 prosecutors received training on issues
related to addressing issues on violence against women.
IOM has compiled a study on Landmark Judgements
of Trafficking Cases. The present compilation contains
11 judgments. In addition to the 11 judgments
involving the offence of human trafficking, there are
two more cases which are annexed to this compilation.
It contains both the original and appellate judgments,
in which either convictions or acquittals were ordered.
The judgments also contain relevant and perspective
comments and suggestions of the judges delivering the
judgments, which constitute a remarkable contribution
to the jurisprudence of anti-human-trafficking criminal law. It is hoped that this compilation
would play a significant role in the field of prosecution.
PP & Lawyer Orientation
Policy
IOM provided technical assistance in drafting the new human trafficking law based on a
request from the Government. The law was signed as an Ordinance by the President on 12
December, 2011 and passed in the Parliament as the Human Trafficking Deterrence and
Suppression Act, 2012 in February 2012. Upon request from the Ministry, IOM also
providing technical support to the Ministry of Home Affairs to develop the Rules for the
new law. After several rounds of consultations and receiving inputs from various
stakeholders, the draft Rules will be finalized through an implementing committee meeting.
IOM also developed an easy reference booklet on the new law and distributed among the
relevant officials and users.
IOM is also providing technical assistance in the drafting of a new Passport a nd Immigration
Act. IOM commissioned a consultant to review existing laws and regulation of the country
and draft a new Passport and Immigration Act incorporating all the recent requirements to
prevent irregular movement from the country. The draft version of the Act has been
submitted to the Ministry for taking it forward.
7.2
United Nations Childrens Emergency Fund
UNICEF-MoHA jointly took initiatives to get momentum of the Rescue, Recovery,

Repatriation and Integration (RRRI) Task Force and its Secretariat/Cell through designing
new phase of Anti Trafficking Mechanisms and Monitoring Project from May, 2012. As
nodal Ministry of Home Affairs, Political-3 section has been guiding the RRRI Task Force
Secretariat/Cell for implementing anti-trafficking related all activities with coordination of
member NGOs and neighbour country India through direction of the Focal Point of RRRI
Task Force.
48
Prevention:
Child Friendly Interviewing Skills (CFIS) Training
was provided for creating awareness and
development skills among the police officers of
Metropolitan and DIG Range of 63 police stations of
Coxs Bazar, Khulna, Satkhira, Jessore, Jhinaidaho,
Sylhet, Sunamgong and Habigonj districts. A total of
186 Police Officers (Coxs Bazar 48, Khulna Range
85 and Sylhet Range 53) participated in the training.
C FIS T raining in C oxsbaz ar Range
The training was facilitated by the selected trainers
from Police Headquarters who got ToT on CFIS
previously. As immediate outcome of those training, DIG Range of Coxs Bazar, Khulna
Range and Sylhet Range has been declared a total of 31Child Friendly Police Desk in 31
police stations (Coxs Bazar 8, Khulna 5, Jessore, Satkhira and Jhenaidha 12 and Sylhet,
Sunamgonj and Habigonj 6). They also selected a Child Friendly Officer for those desks
who will be specially assigned for interviewing and dealing children in child friendly manner.
Protection:
UNICEF Bangladesh is providing support to contribute towards developing a structured and
harmonized system, especially on the area of rescue and repatriation within the government
mechanisms, mainly through the Task Force and Secretariat in a friendly manner. In 2012,
RRRI Task Force Cell collected Bangladeshi women and childrens (girls & boys) trafficked
victims information through e-mail communication that have been rescued by the Indian
Police and they are living at different shelter homes in West Bengal, India. The RRRI Task
Force Cell has also speeded up the process of nationality verification of a total number of 752
(330 women, 190 boys and 232 girls) trafficked victims by the Special Branch, Bangladesh
Police. Those were rescued and applied to MoHA by the different NGOs/Ministries/Sections
all over the year. Out of 752, RRRI Task Force Cell has issued a number of 631 (186 women,
164 boys and 281 girls) trafficked victims order for final repatriation through the Ministry of
Foreign Affairs (MoFA). Rest of 121 trafficked victims nationality verification is being
processed by the Special Branch.
Month-wise numbers of repatriation of trafficked victims

Months of
2012
January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
MoHA received application of

trafficked victims from different
NGOs, Ministries/Section and
verified nationality by the Special
Branch
Women
Children
Total
Boy Girl
15
13
13
41
148
61
89
298
46
9
25
80
1
28
29
10
47
16
73
6
12
2
20
4
1
5
38
12
14
64
Repatriation order issued by

MoHA through MoFA
Women
3
21
8
1
55
-
Children
Boy Girl
1
5
7
1
1
20
56
10
2
15
14
34
150
-
Total
1
15
02
97
20
30
239
-
49
September
October
November
December
Total
5
15
39
330
5
2
20
190
23
35
13
36
15
64
8
7
6
232
18
24
65
752
5
37
43
186
14
7
22
164
9
13
13
281
28
57
88
631
Till to date , 266 women and children (boys and

gir ls) victims of trafficking have been repatriated
from India following the Standard Operating
Procedures (SOP) with coordination of RRRI
Task Force member NGOs/other NGOs. Apart
from this, 2 boys have been repatriated to India
and one girl has been repatriated to Nepal from
Bangladesh through support the member NGOs
of RRRI Task Force.
3rd Bilate ral Mee ting of the T ask Force of Banglade sh and In dia on
RRRI of trafficked victim s held in Coxs Baz ar
Prosecution and Policy Level Advocacy

UNICEF-MoHA jointly organized a day-long Workshop on 2 December, 2012 to review the
Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for sharing during the 3 rd Bilateral Meeting with the
members of RRRI Task Force at MoHA. A total 20 participants participated from Attorney
General Office, MoFA, MoWCA, MSW, PHQ, BGB, SB, BNWLA, DAM, Rights Jessore,
IOM, UNICEF and related sections from MoHA in the workshop.
The 3 rd Bilateral Meeting of the Task Force on Human Trafficking between Bangladesh and
India was held in Coxs Bazar, Bangladesh from 8-9 December, 2012 jointly organized by
UNICEF-MoHA. The Bangladesh delegation was led by Dr. Kamal Uddin Ahmed,
Additional Secretary (Political), Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of the Peoples
Republic of Bangladesh. The Indian delegation was led by Shri K Skandan, Additional
Secretary (CS), Ministry of Home Affairs, government of India. A total 35 (10 from India
and 25 from Bangladesh) delegates participated in the 3 rd Meeting of the Task Force. Both
sides held comprehensive discussions and deliberations on prevention, rescue, repatriation
and rehabilitation of the victims of human trafficking. Both sides formulated the draft SOPs
to combat human trafficking for use between two countries. Both sides discussed the draft
Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) prepared by Bangladesh. The draft SOPs would be
finalized as unified SOP and MoU has been finalized for signing by the High Officials of
both Governments specially for creating policy level mechanisms to combat human
trafficking.
UNICEF has organized three trainings for the victims database to be operational and
capturing data from the districts for Police Headquarters.
UNICEF also provided assistance as team member for drafting the new human trafficking
law, develop the Rules and Regulations and National Plan of Action (NPA) upon request of
the Ministry of Home Affairs.
7.3
The USAID-funded six-year Actions for Combating Trafficking-in-Persons (ACT) Program
50
(2008-2014) being implemented by Winrock International, connects local and national

government representatives, non-governmental organizations, citizens and community
leaders to prevent trafficking-in-persons (TIP), protect and restore the lives of survivors,
prosecute crimes of perpetrators, and engage people at all levels of society as change agents
in reducing trafficking and promoting safe migration.
The ACT program works collaboratively to:
Empower survivors of trafficking and those at-risk of being trafficked;

Provide viable economic alternatives to unsafe internal and cross-border migration;
Expand public awareness of, and participation in, prevention and crime reduction
efforts;
Build the capacity of government institutions to identify and prosecute perpetrators of
TIP;
Eliminate social and gender biases that undermine basic human rights and help
perpetuate human trafficking.
Advocacy: Winrock supported Government in Legislative Reforms on TIP and Safe
Migration
Enactment of new Comprehensive Law: As a member of the drafting and implementation
committe e (coordinated by IOM), Winrock supported the Ministry of Home Affairs in
drafting The Human Trafficking Deterrence and Suppression Act, 2012 which was passed by
the Parliament in February , 2012. Winrock also is providing support for developing rules
under the new TIP law for its proper implementation.
.
Review of NPA, 2008 and assisting to
adopt NPA, 2012 -2014: After reviewing
the previous NPA adopted in 2008, Winrock
took the lead in technical support to MoHA
to develop the new NPA, 2012-2014. In
coordination with the ACT program, MoHA
organized a launch ceremony for the 201214 NPA on 19 May, 2012. Advocate
Shahara Khatun, Honorable Minister of MoHA; Engineer Khandoker Mosharraf Hossain,
Honorable Minister of MoEWOE; Professor Gowher Rizvi, Honorable Prime Ministers
International Affairs Adviser; Dr. Dipu Moni, Honorable Minister of MoFA and Mr. Dan
Mozena, US Ambassador attended the ceremony. Mr. C Q K Mustaq Ahmed, Senior
Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs and Chairperson of the National Committee for
Combating Human Trafficking moderated the program. In order to raise awareness among
all, a dialogue was designed to disseminate the NPA with participation of relevant ministry
secretaries, Major General of BGB, IGP, Additional Secretary Dr. Kamal Uddin Ahmed, and
Winrock ACT Chief of Party, Ms. Sara Piazzano. Government representatives commented
and expressed their commitments to effective implementation of the NPA as well as the new
TIP law.
51
Prevention: Public Awareness Raising and

Public Participation
The ACT program awareness raising
strategy takes a four-part approach:
outreach and public education; media
campaigns; dissemination of information,
education and communication (IEC)
materials; and updated website and develop
quarterly newsletters. In 2012, Winrock
revised its awareness campaign to increase
the involvement and commitment of communities to take action against trafficking and reduce
stigma toward survivors. It emphasizes the need to achieve behavioral changes in the target
communities for a sustainable impact.
A total of 42,365 citizens were aware to address

all forms of human trafficking that aimed to
motivate community action, support and pressure
law enforcement so that TIP and forced labour
survivors are fully served, and promote
effectively reintegration of survivors. In order to
promote broader coverage of all forms of human
trafficking in the electronic and print media,
Winrock organized two trainings for journalists
and NGO personnel in Coxs Bazar and Dhaka
being attended by 64 (56 men and 8 women) participants. The training covered a wide range
of topics, including social journalism, human trafficking, using media for advocacy,
investigative reporting and effective communication with media, etc.
76,333 copies of awareness raising information/education/communication (IEC)
materials were distributed in local communities in Satkhira, Dinajpur -Hili, Jessore and
Coxs Bazar.
Protection: Survivor Care and Support
The ACT program supports a comprehensive
package of survivor services, including rescue,
safe
accommodation and food, medical
services and health care, mental health
counseling, legal aid, education, life -skills and
vocational training, and internship and job
opportunities. The approach aims to restore
the survivors full well-being, including mental
stability and confidence, physical health and
energy, literacy and learning skills, social
interaction and decision -making, and economic security and independence. It supports three
shelter homes and two transit homes managed by NGO partners: Dhaka Ahsania Mission
(DAM) in Jessore and Jamalpur; SHISUK in Dhaka; and YPSA in Chittagong and Coxs
Bazar.
52
Prosecution: Capacity building to prosecute traffickers and strengthen referral

mechanisms
Organized mixed group training for law
enforcement personnel which includes police and
Public Prosecutors, lawyers, and para- legal staff of
NGOs. The purpose was to bring more
coordination and synergy locally. Interactive
methods of training were used to help make the
trainings more action oriented. In 2012, the ACT
programme conducted five 2-day training courses
to 103 legal personnel including 53 police officers,
27 Public Prosecutors, 13 lawyers, 10 para-legal
staff of NGOs. The trainings aimed to: improve knowledge of TIP, establish a platform for
sharing and understanding each others challenges in order to improve communication,
coordination and collaboration for proper implementation of newly enacted TIP law.
Winrock also provided orientation to law students in private universities and the Human
Rights Summer School and promoted incorporation of human trafficking and safe migration
issues in their curricula. A total of 172 law students were reached through five orientation
programs.
7.4
World Vision
World Vision is an International Christian relief, development and advocacy organization

dedicated to working with children, families and communities to overcome poverty and
injustice. World Vision operates through 71 ADPs in 91 sub-districts, city and town locations
in 27 districts of Bangladesh and serves around 4 million people directly and indirectly with
various human development activities.
Child Safety Net
Child Safety Net Project is a special project of World Vision Bangladesh started from May,
2011 funded by WVUS under major donor ministry, WVCAN and WVHKG with the goal to
reduce the vulnerability and risk of sex and labour trafficking and exploitation of children in
Khulna, Bangladesh. The project is covering 11 districts and 24 upazilas under Khulna,
Barisal and Dhaka divisions. Main interventions of the project are prevention, protection and
restoration especially for most vulnerable children. During 2012, significant progress to date
from the beginning of the project is given below:
Prevention
The project provided prevention, protection and
restoration services for 515,234 people including
209,997 men, 305,237 women and 248,590
children (108,892 boys and 139,698 girls)
through different activities from its inception.
The project educated 228,698 community people
on anti-trafficking issues through organizing
awareness activities like video shows and group
education sessions. The project organized special
classroom education sessions for increasing
53
awareness among 131,254 school students on anti-trafficking issues. Arranged 19 mini

project competitions among the students where 1,248 children were participated in the
competitions. Total 710 vulnerable children including 196 boys 514 girls received life skill
training. Developed and distributing 235,971 promotional materials on anti-trafficking
messages. Observed National Child Day, International Womens Day, Day against Child
Labour, International Child Rights Day, World AIDS Day with the collaboration of GOs and
NGOs. Rallies, art competitions for the children and discussion sessions were organized in
these days. The project developed 5 video materials for TV and projector shows. The project
has successfully established 20 child-friendly spaces. Total 756 vulnerable children (346
boys and 410 girls) are receiving regular services from these child-friendly spaces. These
vulnerable children are enjoying safety and security at safe places where they can learn, play
and enjoy.
Protection
Winrock International organized joint workshop
with divisional press club for the press club
members of 10 districts and 532 journalists have
been oriented which has significantly increase
the relation with the media to disseminate antitrafficking messages in mass media. It also
organized 185 workshops and meetings with the
GO/NGO high officials and civil society
members and created a very good working
relationship with them to smooth programme
implementation. Total 534 child forum members including 220 boys and 314 girls received
training on anti-trafficking issues. 77 functional communities were formed on anti trafficking
activities. The project regularly organizes quarterly meetings with the pressure group
members. Members of the pressure groups are
upazila women vice -chairmen, human activists,
journalists, media personnel, lawyers, civil society
members etc. The pressure group members are
regularly informed about the latest trafficking
information. Pressure group members are the most
influential person in the society and they always
help the project in different activities such as
rescue, reintegration of victims and top level
advocacy of GO/NGO level. Regular quarterly
meetings are organized by the project with the
member NGOs of the Anti-Trafficking Network.
Different referral linkage and collaborating efforts for child protection have been done
through this network. The project has already initiated its activities to implement the
Government National Plan of Action for Combating Human Trafficking. In this regard , the
project is working to facilitate and activate the district, upazila and union level Counter
Trafficking Committees.
Restoration
The organization provided support to rescue and
reintegration of 28 victims of trafficking. The
54
project provided support for psycho -social, medical, and legal aid for these survivors of
trafficking as well as food, clothes and Income Generating Activities (IGA) support for their
rehabilitation. World Vision Bangladesh has recently signed a partnership agreement with the
Dhaka Ahsania Mission for sheltering the survivors of trafficking and we are under process
to develop Standard Operational Procedure for shelter homes. According to the necessity of
the rescued survivors, the project provided these types of support. The project organized
Income Generating Activities (IGA) training for 522 vulnerable women and provided IGA
input supports for 181 vulnerable families.
Among other achievement, the project has
successfully conducted the baseline survey and
developmental assets profile survey. World Vision
Bangladesh is now a member of the GO and NGO
Coordination Committee to Combat Human
Trafficking under the Ministry of Home Affairs.
The redesigning process of the project is going on
to bring more positive impacts for the victims of
trafficking, abuses and exploitation, where the
advocacy activities and implementation of
governments National Plan of Action have given
more emphasis.
8.
Initiatives to address the plight of trafficked victims and survivors
8.1 Ass ociation for Community Development

Rabeya: A case of livelihood loss linked to vulnerabilities to trafficking
Land livelihood loss leads to increased number of women migrating for temporary manual
work, a situation which puts them at a greater risk of being trafficked. Rabeya was a girl of
divorced mother with younger two brothers. In rural areas, the pimps/perpetrators usually
target vulnerable poor families. They convinced her mother and aunt in the name of good
jobs in neighboring district and also pa id advance money. Rabeya lost her aunt in the city and
when she was separated from her aunt, then the perpetrator got hold of Rabeya. She was
physically tortured, intimidated and was being forced into prostitution. After three months,
the perpetrator sold her and she was trafficked to Mumbai, India. Rabeya has spent a terrible
two years as a sex slave. At last, she was rescued by police and social worker of a NGO in
India. After two years, she was repatriated to Bangladesh. She received life skill training and
is now operating a grocery shop in her village. Today Rabeya is trying to build a new life, a
difficult task.
Munir, being promised a good job in India was rescued by border police
Munir, 22 years old had completed class VIII but was sent to work for cultivating a share of
land where he was barely making a living. He was introduced to Nazrul who promised a good
job in India and took money for helping him. They set off to cross the border without legal
papers. The border patrol intercepted them but Nazrul ran off leaving Munir at a railway
station. The police recognized his plight and referred him to ACDs shelter home where he
could get help. He received counseling, life skills education, entrepreneurship training and
then went home to be with his relatives. He was depressed as he had no work and could not
55
support his family. He wanted to set up a small kiosk to sell seasonal fruits and a few grocery
items but he had no money to do so. ACD agreed to help renovate a stall and buy some
inventory. He now owns a shop where he sells taka 2,000 of goods daily with a profit of taka
200 per day. Now at least he is a ble to support his family better and being more familiar with
customer needs, he hopes to expand his business and earn more in future.
8.2
Bangladesh National Women Lawyers Ass ociation

BNWLA repatriated 26 female survivors of trafficking from India
On 26 June, 2012, BNWLA repatriated 26 Bangladeshi girls from Mumbai, India. These
survivors are from different districts of Bangladesh. They were offered better job
opportunities in both Bangladesh and India. After they were trafficked they had been
forcefully engaged into commercial sexual exploitation and left behind with extreme level of
trauma by the traffickers. These girls have been rescued by Mumbai police in association
with Rescue Foundation - an organization in Mumbai and network partner of BNWLA in
India. After the rescue the girls were in the shelter home of Rescue Foundation, Mumbai.
During this time they acquired different types of vocational training for their successful
reintegration and finally when they have been repatriated on 24 June 2012, BNWLA
provide d them further training and if necessary will provide them with jobs based on their
skills.
BNWLA repatriated 50 survivors from Jammu, Kashmir
On 30 August, 2012, BNWLA repatriated 50 (41 men, 4 women and 5 children) survivors of
trafficking form Jammu, India through Benapole, Jessore border. These survivors were
arrested by the Border Security Force (BSF), India when they tried to cross over the Jammu,
Kashmir border, India to Pakistan. The survivors were from different parts of Bangladesh
namely Chittagong, Coxs Bazaar, Sunamgonj, Feni, Sylhet and Narayangonj and some of
them went with their families. Traffickers offered them better job and better living
opportunities in Pakistan. They had completed their sentences in Jammu jail, after completed
the sentences BNWLA repatriated them to Bangladesh with the help of Bangladesh
government.
Case study of Kabita: a Nepali girl repatriated to Kathmandu
On 21 November , 2012, Kabita (fake name) a native Nepali girl aged 21 years was
repatriated from Bangladesh to Kathmandu, Nepal. Her elder brother is a policeman. She got
married at a minor age. After a while, her husband left her and went to Saudia Arabia.
Afterwards, she has subjected to torture by mother- in -law for long time. One of her relative
bought her to India with false promise of better job. In fact, the relative sold her in the red
light area of India. There she was forcedly engaged in prostitution. When she disagreed to do
sex work, she was beaten by the traffickers. While in the red light area, she was introduced
with a Bangladeshi woman who was also engaged in prostitution. Somehow they managed to
escape and went to Bangladesh through Benapole border, Jessore. The woman is from
Pauthakhali, Bangladesh. In accordance, they came to Pathukhali and stayed for few months.
On 23 November , 2011, the newspaper Daily Janakantha published news: Two girls escaped
from India. BNWLA got the information and fact finding to discern the real fact. BNWLA
found a girl is from Nepal. Thus, BNWLA had applied to the Honorable Sr. Judicial
Magistrate Court, Kolapara, Pathukhali regarding this Nepali girl. BNWLA informs the court
56
with evidence that Kabita is from Nepal and she is a victim of trafficking. The court agreed
and issued an order that she can be brought to the shelter home in the name of safe custody
for her safe integration. She got psychosocial support such as long term counseling, nonformal education, and vocational training in cutting, sewing, recreational trip including
shelter support during crisis intervention period in BNWLAs safe home. She was
successfully repatriated to Nepal on 21 November 2012 by BNWLA.
Case Study of Asif: Detained in India
Asif was a student of science group of Bhurungimari Degree College. Asif along with his
friends crossed over to India to watch a jatra at Sahebgong bazar in Kuchbehar division on 11
December 2000. They engaged in a quarrel with the local people when they were watching
the jatra. When they were returning home at 2:30 am after watching jatra , they were caught
by Indian BSF. After a flag meeting the BSF let them go except Asif. At first BSF and after
that police apprehended him under section 14 of Foreigners Act for illegal crossing and he
was send to Tufangaong Mohakuma correction center.
After serving three months infiltration the police took him to Charengrabandha border to
push back on 26 December, 2001. They didnt push back him but apprehended again. Police
caught him suspected as Milton Bormon of Kamtapur Liberation Organization (KLO).
However the police started case against him to waging war against India. First he was sent to
Mekligong sub-correction center and in the next year on 29 June, 2002 he was sent to
Kuchbehar district correction center. And still now he is in the custody there. Against this
Bangladeshi youth case is filed under the section of 120(b), 121(a), 122, 123, 124(a), and 384
of Indian Penal Code (IPC). When Asif was in Mekligong sub-correction center a prisoner
was murdered there . Asif was also involved with that murder case but he was exempted from
that murder case.
The real Milton Bormon was captured in the Operation Flashout carried out by the Royal
Bhutan Army in 2003 and spent some days in Kuchbehar district correction center. At that
time, he (real Milton Bormon) met with Asif. When the case appeared before the court real
Milton pledged the truth but the court did not acquit Asif. Currently Milton Bormon is now
on bail. Asifs father Mr. Abul Hossain tried to get back his son and communicated with the
higher authority of Bangladesh but his attempts were unsuccessful. For the contemplation of
his son, he died on 27 January 2006. After the death of Asifs father his mother is waiting for
her son.
The news was published on 19 August, 2011 in the Daily Prothom Alo Chalatera Dekhe
Morbar Chai The Executive Director of Bangladesh National Woman Lawyers Association
(BNWLA) Advocate Salma Ali ordered the members of this association to collect necessary
information regarding this matter. The fact finding officer and others member went to India
and collected information on this matter and informed the Bangladesh High Commission
India. They collected in-depth information on the basis of whether Asif is involved in any
anti social act or not and by discussing with local politic ians to return Asif to Bangladesh.
8.3 Centre for Women and Children Studies

Case Study of Aleya Khatun: Sold twice by her husband in India
Aleya Khatun, 20 years old is Muslim, married and completed class three. She was working
57
as a tailor in her residence. There are five members in their family including parents, one
brother and brother-in-sister. Her father is Md. Sobed Ali and unemployed and mother is Ms.
Monowara Begum. Her brother is a van driver and earns taka 5,000 per month. Her fathers
residence is at Nangla village in Nowapara union under Debhata upazila in Satkhira district.
In 2007, one Rafiqul Islam came to Aleyas residence along with her brother-in law who is a
resident of Shyamnangar upazila in Satkhira district. Afterwards, Rafiqul developed love
affair with Aleya promising to marry her. She was unaware that Rafiqul was an agent of
trafficking gang and believed him. He took the advantage of Aleyas vulnerability as her
parents could not get her married off due to inability to provide dowry. On 5 October 2011,
Rafiqul asked Aleya to go to Dhaka to work in garments factory where afterwards they will
get married.
In fact, Rafiqul took Aleya to India by crossing Bhomra border in Satkhira district and
married her without any registration and started to live as a married couple. After a few days,
Rafiqul sold her in a brothel in Nagpur but maintained contact with her. Aleya requested him
to help her to return to Bangladesh. Later on, in the name of taking her to Bangladesh, he sold
her again to dalals of Mumbai. She was exploited both physically and sexually in both the
places. In Mumbai, she had to wear short dresses and used as dancer in the bar. The
traffickers made her unconscious using drugs and sexually exploited her. Sometimes, she was
also sent to hotels with dalals.
After 17 days, Aleya escaped from the hotel by crossing over the wall. W ith assistance of
Indian police, she found the way to return to Bangladesh and reached her residence on nearby
bordering area of Satkhria district on 22 October, 2011.
She started tailoring at her residence and people perceived that she had conflict with her
husband. She was suffering from sexually transmitted disease but she did not go to any health
centre for medical treatment due to fear of disclosing her health problems. In the meantime, a
case was secretly filed in the police station against her so-called husband. CWCS staff of
Niramoy Information Health Booth received information of Aleya from the police and took
her to the Booth on 1 May, 2012. She was provided free healthcare services including
counseling. After 3 months of receiving medical treatment and medicines she was cured.
Now she is happy with integrated healthcare services of Information Health Booth as she was
relieved from physical, mental and social stigmatization due to its confidential environment.
Still community people of her community knows that she had some conflict with her husband
without knowing about her being trafficked and suffering from health problems.
Case Study of Ashura Khatun

Ashura Khatun, 24 years old, Muslim, divorcee and completed class five. She has a son. Her
parents are alive and lives from hand to mouth. She was a day labourer when she became a
victim of trafficking. At that time she was living with her son aged 7 years in Ashkarpur
village of Nowapara union under Debhat Upazila in Satkhira district.
Ashura was allured of better job in Lebanon by her neighbour Abdul Gofur and her wife in
December 2011. They also assured her of providing expenses in credit. In fact, the trafficker
took her to Mumbai, India in April 2012. She was sold in a brothel and had to wear short
58
dresses and sexually exploited. The traffickers also forced her to drink and sometimes she
became unconscious. She had been exploited for 10 days at a stretch. Afterwards, she
escaped from the brothel with help of a client and returned home.
After returning home, she could neither tell the incident to community people nor continue
her normal activities. When she was passing her days in miserable condition , the staff of the
Information Health Booth got the information from a community woman in confidence who
was Ashuras close one.
On 23 June 2012, booth managers motivated her to come to the Booth and there she received
free healthcare services including free medicines and counseling. Ashura recovered from her
physical, sexual and mental health problems within two months. Afterwards, she was
provided a job by CWCS at a women-friendly garment factory in Dhaka. Starting work as a
helper at present she is promoted to an operator and earns about 7,000 taka per month (basic
salary taka 4,500 and overtime wages taka 2,500). She also sends money for her son and
parents.
Case Study of Parveen Sultana: Rescued by community people

Parveen Sultana, 17 years old is Muslim, unmarried and studies till class six but could not
continue her studies due to poverty and sudden death of her father. She was staying with her
mother who worked as domestic help in the area. Her two sisters and one brother are married
off and live in separate families. She resides in Kashibati village of Kashibati union under
Shyamnagar upazila in Satkhira district. She was trafficked on 2 April 2012 and rescued on 4
April, 2012 with the cooperation of community people.
In September, 2011, she had fallen in love of one Saidul Islam, a truck driver and resident of
Jessore district after meeting him in a temple nearby her residence. They maintained contact
over mobile phone. On 2 April, 2012, Parveen left home to marry Saidul but she did not
know that he is an agent of trafficking gang. Saidul took her to Patchpota village under
Kalaroa upazila after crossing Satkhira town and stayed with Sonia in his friends residence
who is also a member of the trafficking gang.
Parveen was sexually exploited there. On the following day, Parveen knew that Saidul and
his friends are members of trafficking gang. Realizing the reality, Parveen requested them to
help her. In the meantime, community people of the area rescued her and informed the matter
to local Union Parish ad member. The Union Parishad member helped her to file a case
against the traffickers at Kalaroa p olice station. She stayed at the residence of a policewoman.
After getting information, her elder sister came and took her home the next day. After
returning home, her mother restricted her movements and community people also blamed her.
Her sisters used to torture her both physically and mentally.
Getting information from community people, CWCS staff went to her residence and
motivated Parveen and her mother to come to the Information Health Booth. On 13 May,
2012, Parveen came to the Booth with her mother. She stayed at the transit shelter facility till
15 May , 2012 as her residence is far away. Her family members were provided counseling so
that they behave with her passionately. During her stay, she was provided medical treatment
with free medicines as well as counseling at the Booth as well as made knowledgeable about
59
the various modes of procurement, health risks and its consequences of trafficking and sexual
exploitation. She came again on 20 May , 2012 at the Booth for follow-up medical check-up.
At last she recovered from physical and mental health problems. She expressed her
satisfaction with healthcare services and wanted to work at the garments factory in Dhaka but
as she was below 18 year old, CWCS staff assured her of providing her the job next year .
8.4
Dhaka Ahs ania Mission

Case study of Morshed Islam: Went to Singapore in search of better opportunity
Almost four years back Morsheds father died, and after the death of his father he worked as
day labour and started thinking of going abroad. He was trapped by a broker who offered a
job abroad from which he can earn 40-60 thousand taka per month. In search for a better life,
he sold out his cow, goat and some land that he had, not only that he also took loan from
relatives, NGOs and thus collected three and half lakh taka and gave that amount to broker
Rabiul Islam. After a long time, he was taken to Singap ore but he was not given the job as he
was promised, rather he was introduced with another broker through Rabiul by offering him
another better job. This new broker gave Morshed a temporary job under him but he faced a
very hard situation when he lost the job after two months. Moreover, he could not even
communicate with anyone .
After staying there for long finally he was introduced with a Bangladeshi man and with the
help of that man, he was able to communicate with Bangladeshi High Commission and
eventually reached home in empty hands. He was rescued/released by DAM and was
provided proper counseling as well, his needs assessments were done and accordingly he was
provided job in Progoti Motors as supervisor and his monthly salary is now taka 6,000.
Presently he is working there and looking forward to a better future ahead of him.
Case study of Rahela Khatun: Sold in the brothel in Mumbai
Rahelas father was a very poor and only earning member of a large family. She got married
at early age because of poverty. But her husband was a drug user, wanted dowry and sued to
beat her. Since she could not meet his dowry demand he divorce d her. After that Rahela came
back to her parents house and started searching for a job. In the meantime, she was
introduced with a lady who promised her a job in India. She went with her and then as usual
that lady sold her to a brothel in Mumbai. She spent horrible life there and forced in to sex
work, she was forced to take drugs sometimes if she denied to entertain the clients. After
staying there for two years, once when she came outside for a work, she took the chance and
informed some police men about her problem.
Police rescued her and took her to a shelter home . After three years of staying there she came
to Bangladesh and Rights Jessore referred her to DAM shelter home. She already had some
sorts of skills and knowledge, so based on her needs assessment, she was provided
counseling five times, she participated in a life skills training and was provided health
support through Smiling Sun. She became capable to take decision for herself. She wanted to
do a job and accordingly based on her skills she was provided a job in the Mission Hospital
60
in Monirampur where she is working as maid and earning an amount of taka 3,000 per
month.
Case study of Shazeda: Re scued from the clutches of traffickers by a woman
Shazedas father was a day labourer and when she was one year old her mother left her and
got married to another man, later on her father also got married and then she had hard time
staying with her stepmother. When she became little older, she had to do all the household
work and if she made any mistake she was beaten hard as well. She could not tolerate this
torture anymore so she was searching for any job. At one stage she met one woman in her
village who told her that she can help her to find a good job. She agreed and went with that
woman who took her to some place where she was kept in a house and forbidden to go
outside. The woman assured that she will manage a job for her in India and till then she had
to stay here. At night one man named Hashem came in and abused her sexually and he
continued to do so for some consecutive nights.
One day, she started to cry loudly. One woman who was in the neighbourhood heard without
understanding the situation entered into the house and talked to Shazeda. Then she informed
that this man is a trafficker who plans to sell her in India and she wants to seek her help. The
neighbor somehow broke the key and rescued her and took her to nearby police station. She
was referred to DAM shelter home through court order where she stayed two years and
received all the services including counseling, life skills training, leadership training, theatre
workshop. Based on her situation and needs, she was provided livelihood support through
linking up with government project, she was provided tailoring training and was given taka
8,000, ten chickens, twenty kilos of rice, free medical checkup and one tailoring machine by
district administration and through some community meetings she was reintegrated with her
family by the initiative of community people .
8.5
Khan Foundation
Case study of Sohel Rana: Returned to his family
Sohel Rana, 8 years old boy, student of Paikpara Hafezia

Madrasha of Jhenidah district and son of Babul Akhter who
is inhabitant of Doyapur village. Last 19th April, 2012, Sohel
Rana was going to the madrasha from home at 12:15 p.m.
When he reached Kaligonj market, kidnappers targeted him
and tried to allure him. It seemed very suspicious to a person
passing by and then he informed a local focal person of
Khan Foundation in the 24 hours mobile hotlink number
(01713185536). The focal person informed Community
Watch Group (CWG) as well as law enforcing agencies over telephone. CWG took an
initiative to find out the boy and observed almost all vehicles around the bus stand. Similarly
CWG took under surveillance of different places. Meanwhile, the kidnappers made Rana
senseless by poisonous handkerchief and took him by nasimon (local vehicle) to the front of
Krishi Office situated at Ganna road of that town. In the meantime, victim regained his sense.
He started shouting and ultimately jumped off from the running vehicle. A CWG member
noticed and rescued the boy but kidnappers fled away. Focal person and members of
Community Watch Group discussed this case with local law enforcement agencies and
afterwards handed over the rescued boy to his parents. It was possible to rescue Rana from
61
kidnappers through the help of 24 hours mobile hotlink services and Community Watch
Group (CWG).
8.6 Winrock International

Case Study of Malek: From stranded migrant to beach-side manager
Malek was a young man with a secondary education, living in Sahaporirdip of Teknaf
upazila, Coxs Bazar district. Malek had to stop his education early because of extreme
economic hardships. In spite of his poverty, he dreamed of a dignified life for himself and his
family members. He got a job but it did not meet the need of his family. One day he
introduced with Mr. Harun Rashid and Hafej Mohiuddin who run a travel agency. They
offered him a good job in Malaysia, but insisted that first he must pay them 25,000 taka.
Malek and his father decided to lease their land and pay the man the advance money so that
Malek could go to Malaysia.
Malek started his journey one night on a fishing
boat in the deep sea. Soon, he realized that the
situation was suspicious. After few days floating
at sea, he was arrested by the Coast Guard of
Thailand. After 12 days the Thai coast guard
simp ly sent the boat with Malek and others again
back out to sea. They drifted on the sea without
sufficient food and water for 14 days and nights.
Several people died. Finally the Indian Navy
rescued and arrested them. Malek and others who
were in the boat were jailed by the Indian
authorities at Andaman Island. After three months
in jail he returned back to his village with the support of the Bangladesh Government and the
Red Crescent Society.
Malek is now a store manager at Hotel The Cox Today
This experience left Malek frustrated, lonely and depressed. He had no job and no income.
The neighbo urs did not want to invite him to any social occasions. He was filled with anxiety
and agony. After sometime, Malek was informed about the ACT program by an NGO worker
and became involved in the program, obtaining counseling and life skill education training.
Then Malek expressed his desire for a job at Coxs Bazar. The NGO responded by providing
him with one month of Hotel Management Training at the Bangladesh Parjoton Corporation.
He did very well in the training. After successful completion he got a job at a hotel The Cox
Today as a purchase supervisor. Thanks to his sincere and honest work, he earned a
promotion. Now he is the Store Manager of the hotel and gets a good salary (Case study
provided by ACT partner YPSA)
Case Study: Deceived into migrating to Egypt
Imran Ali is inhabitant of Shibgonj upazila under Chapai-Na wabganj district. Due to extreme
poverty Imran Ali, son of Md. Momtaz Ali, could not continue his study after secondary
level. To contribute to his family, he wanted to start a small business. Imran initiated a
business of light machinery parts of power tiller and shallow machines in his local market in
2005. Gradually the business was becoming profitable.
62
Rabiul, manpower broker lived in a neighboring village of Imran, was always trying to
convince Imran to migrate, telling h im dreams of a more prosperous life, but this did not
interest Imran because he felt he was doing better in his own country. But eventually the
broker Rabiul tempted Imran to go to work for an established electronic company in Egypt,
promising him handsome remuneration and other benefits. Preying his emotions, Rabiul
convinced Imran to migrate and promised that he managed the entire process for a very low
cost of taka one lac 75 thousand since he considered Imran as a friend. Imran finally relented
and decided to go to Egypt. His father provided some of the money demanded by the broker
by selling his property and taking funds out of his fixed deposit. Imran borrowed the
remaining money needed from his relatives. Imrans money and passport were credited to
M/S Comet Overseas by broker Rabiul. On 4 May 2009, Imran Ali left Dhaka for Egypt with
clearance from BMET. Only upon arrival in Egypt did he realize that he had only a onemonth tourist visa and no work permit. A representative of the recruiting agent housed him in
a congested room in Cairo city with other Bangladeshis. They engaged him in a hard labor
without expected return. In that circumstance, Imran returned to Bangladesh after just one
month.
When he got home, Imran enrolled with SHISUK as a survivor of labo ur exploitation and
lodged a complaint with the BMET against the recruiting agency, demanding compensation.
BMET heard the case. Even as the case was being pursued, SHISUK provided life skill and
entrepreneurship development training to help him re-start his former business and renew his
normal life. Imran is still waiting for the final decision of the BMET (Case study provided by
ACT partner SHISUK).
Case study of Shoma: Rescued with the help of a kind passer-by

The father of 16 year old Shorna had a small business. But when he deserted his family, her
mother had to become the soul earner for them by working as maidservant. Still, her mother
managed Shornas education. On the way to her school, she was introduced to a man who
was a microbus driver. After few months, the man wanted to tell her family about their
relationship. But none of h er family members
Shorna is learning new skills at a beauty parlor
agreed about this relation, so he proposed to take
Shorna to India, where they would get married. He
assured her that they would go to the place where
one of his sister lives. Shorna refused his proposal.
After some days the man asked her to walk around
near his car. When she agreed, he snatched her and
took her to a place where he confined her in a room.
Alone and frightened, she could hear people
discussing plans to sell her. She started crying and
tried to find out a way out to escape. Seeing a
woman passing by the window of her room, Shorna called out for help. The woman let
Shorna use her mobile to call her aunt. Her aunt then informed a NGO named Savior in
Jessore and with the assistance of local people the organization rescued her and referred her
to DAM shelter home in Jessore.
63
After enrolling at the shelter home, Shorna was provided initial basic assistance. At the same
time, a counselor worked with her and observed her regularly for fifteen days. The counselor
built rapport with her and tried to find out what had occurred and assessed her level of
trauma. Upon completing this careful review her integration plan was prepared, with
additional plans to meet her specific needs in order to best support her. For example, she
received healthcare from the local Smiling Sun clinic and a three-day life skills training
course and legal counseling.
In developing her integration plan, Shorna decided she wanted to pursue her studies along
with working in beauty parlor. Currently she is attending beauty parlor training and will be
provided job or start her own business, which ever will be best for her when it is completed
(Case study provided by ACT partner DAM).
9.
Conclusion
Human trafficking, particularly trafficking in women and children is one of the fast growing
organized crime in the world. It is also a transnational crime and peoples smuggling is
related to the crime. Bangladesh is an active member of the Bali Process on Peoples
Smuggling.
Bangladesh has also made commitments at the international level to combat human
trafficking. Bangladesh participated in the First World Congress against Commercial Se xual
Exploitation of Children held in Stockholm in 1996 and the Fourth World Conference on
Women held in Beijing in 1995, and ratified a number of core human rights treaties
mentioned above. At the regional level, Bangladesh made its commitment to combat human
trafficking by joining the Third SAARC Ministerial meeting on Children held in Rawalpindi
in 1996, which culminated in state commitments to combat trafficking in children and assist
victims of violence/exploitation by evolving administrative, legal and rehabilitative
measures. An inter-ministerial Alliance to Combat Trafficking in Women and Children
(ACTWC) with NGO/INGO representatives is working under Ministry of Women and
Children Affairs (MOWCA) for expanding the scope of SAARC Convention on Preventing
and Combating Trafficking in Women and Children for Prostitution.
Bangladesh government has taken combined efforts by linking relevant ministries in the
effort of combating trafficking in persons both by formulating domestic legal framework in
line with international instruments as well as contributing in expanding the scope of regional
legal framework of human trafficking namely SAARC Convention on Preventing and
Combating Trafficking in Women and Children for Prostitution.
The Ministry of Home Affair s and its departments are playing the lead role in enhancing
coordination and cooperation among concerned ministries such as Ministry of Foreign
Affairs, Ministry of Women and Children Affairs, Ministry of Social Welfare, Ministry of
Expatriates Welfare and Overseas Employment on combating human trafficking especially
women and children to uphold the rights of marginalized people. Bangladesh government is
also working, hand in hand, with INGOs and NGOs in combating trafficking in persons. As a
result, government and community based prevention and protection systems are in the
process of being developed for the victims of trafficking as well as potential victims.
The major achievements of the aforesaid combined efforts are enactment of the Human
Trafficking Deterrence and Suppression Act, 2012 with technical assistance of IOM and
64
formulation of the National Plan of Action, 2012-2014 with technical assistance of Winrock
International. Drafting of the Rules and Regulations for the Human Trafficking Deterrence
and Suppression, 2013 is going on with technical assistance of IOM and UNICEF.
Moreover, a committee comprised of GO- NGO members is working with coordination of
Ministry of Home Affairs to monitor the implementation of National Plan of Action for its
proper implementation by phases.
Bangladesh government is closely working with Indian Counterpart through RRRI (Rescue,
Recovery, Repatriation and Integration) Task Force to ensure victims right in destination
country as well as for easy repatriation of victims with technical support of UNICEF. RRRI
Task Force Cell has issued a number of 631 (186 women, 164 boys and 281 girls) trafficked
victims order for final repatriation through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 2012. Third
Bilateral Meeting of RRRI Task Force was successfully held in Coxs Bazar , Bangladesh on
8 -9 December 2012. Both sides formulated 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.
After enactment of human trafficking law, Bangladesh government has taken a valiant step in
sending migrant workers through GO to GO collaboration. This process has already been
started successfully with the counterpart at Malaysia where migrant workers will be sent at
low migration cost as well as their safety and dignity will be ensured in destination country.
This step will have tremendous effect on promoting safe migration as well as reducing human
trafficking of Bangladeshi nationals.
The Country Report for Combating Human Trafficking is a demonstration of commitment of
the government and people of the country to stop human trafficking and uphold humanity to
international standards. The achievements of 2012 attained through combined efforts of
government and non-government agencies will be a milestone in the history of the fight to
promote safe migration in order to combat human trafficking.
65

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Combating Human Trafficking

Bangladesh Country Report, 2012

Ministry of Home Affairs

2. 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,

5. Initiatives and Measures of Government Ministries and Departments to

Ministry of Home Affairs

5.2.1 Bangladesh Police

5.2.2 Rapid Action Battalion

5.2.3 Border Guard Bangladesh

5.2.4 Bangladesh Coast Guard

5.2.5 Bangladesh Ansar/VDP

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Ministry of Primary and Mass Education

Ministry of Social Welfare

Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives

Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation

NGO Activities to Combat Human Trafficking

Association for Community Development

Bangladesh National Women Lawyers Association

Centre for Women and Children Studies

Dhaka Ahsania Mission

Refugee and Migratory Movement and Research Unit (RMMRU)

Counter Trafficking Activities of International Organizations

International Organization for Migration

United Nations Children Emergency Fund

Initiatives to Address the Plight of Trafficked Victims and Survivors

Association for Community Development

Bangladesh National Women Lawyers Association

Centre for Women and Children Studies

Dhaka Ahsania Mission

Abbreviations and Acronyms

Assistant Police Commissioner

Asia Pacific Broadcasting Centre

Association for Community Development

Actions for Combating Trafficking in Persons Program

Alliance to Combat Trafficking in Women and Children

Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome

Anti-Trafficking Community Committees

Bangladesh Association for International Recruiting Agencies

Border Guard Bangladesh

Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters

Bureau of Manpower, Employment and Training

Bangladesh National Women Lawyers Association

Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation

Bangladesh Overseas Employment Services Limited

Bangladesh Rural Advancement Committee

Bangladesh Society for the Enforcement of Human Rights

Border Security Force

Bangladesh Sentry Post

Coordinated Border Management Plan

Community Based Organization

Community Capacity to Reduce Vulnerability to Human

Crime Database Management Software

Child Development Programme

Child Friendly Interviewing Skills

Community based work to Develop Child Protection

Convention on the Elimination of All forms of Discrimination

Community Information Centre

Criminal Investigation Department

Convention on the Rights of the Child

Counter Trafficking Committee