The World Day against Trafficking in Persons, 30 July 2020

Title of Webinar: “Combating Human Trafficking: Scope and Challenges of Promoting Safe Migration and
Protecting Trafficking Survivors”
Tentative Date : 29 July 2020
Time : One and Half Hour
Hosts : Ashshash Project of Winrock International and Migration Program of BRAC
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Background:

On December 18th 2013, the United Nations General Assembly accepted resolution A/RES/68/192, which
recognizes July 30th as World Day against Trafficking in Persons. This resolution declared that such a day was
necessary to “raise awareness of the situation of victims of human trafficking and for the promotion and protection
of their rights.” Observation of the day has been prioritized by the Government of Bangladesh within the National
Plan of Action for Combating Human Trafficking 2018-2022. UN has declared a theme titled “Committed to the
Cause - Working on the Frontline to End Human Trafficking” to observe the World Day against Trafficking Persons,
2020.

This year, the theme will focus on the first responders to human trafficking. These are the people who work in
different sectors- identifying, supporting, counselling and seeking justice for victims of trafficking, and challenging
the impunity of the traffickers. During the COVID-19 crisis, the essential role of first responders has become even
more important. Particularly as the restrictions imposed by the pandemic have made their work even more
difficult. Still, their contribution is often overlooked and unrecognized- (Source: UNODC, 2020). On the eve of the
day, Winrock International in collaboration with BRAC is going organize a Webinar on “Combating Human
Trafficking: Scope and Challenges of Promoting Safe Migration and Protecting Trafficking Survivors” in New
Normal Situation in collaboration with BRAC Migration Program.

Objectives

The objectives of the webinar are:

 Overview of TIP situation in Bangladesh during COVID-19 and New Normal Situation
 Highlights the NPA implementation and Achievements of Government of Bangladesh
 Divisional Level Special Tribunal: Scope, Challenges and Way forward

Webinar at a glance

The webinar will be conducted virtually with active participation and engagement. Considering the participation of
high-level officials from government, “Zoom” application (or any other convenient for all) will be used as a medium
of the webinar. An overview of the webinar is given below:
 Tentative Program Schedule

Topic Presenter Time

 Welcome to the Participants Dipta Rakshit 11:00-11:15 am
 Thematic Introduction of World Day against Team Leader, Ashshash
Human Trafficking Winrock International
 Brief on Anti-trafficking intervention of
Ashshash
Welcome speech Ms. Suzanne Mueller, Director of 11:15-11:25am
Cooperation/ Deputy Head of Mission
Swiss Agency for Development and
Cooperation (SDC)
Panel Discussion 11:25–12:05pm
Combating human trafficking and Irregular migration: Shariful Hasan
Situation analysis and way forward Head of Migration Program, BRAC

Sharing of survivor’s experience: During identification TIP Survivors

through reintegration into the family, community and
society
Role and working modality of seven divisional level Tariqul Islam
tribunal in Prosecuting TIP cases Country Director, Justice and Care
Overview on TIP Report-2020 and National Plan of A.K.M. Masud Ali
Action: Challenges and Way forward Executive Director, INCIDIN
Bangladesh
Speech from Guest
Remarks by Guest of Honor: Joint Secretary 12:05-12:15pm
(Initiative of MoEWOE to accommodate and support Ministry of Expatriate Welfare and
to the returnee and aspirant migrants to reduce the Overseas Employment
risk of human trafficking)
Remarks by Special Guest: Abu Bakar Siddique 12:15-12:25pm
(Response by GoB to combat human trafficking in new Additional Secretary (Political and
normal situation) ICT), Ministry of Home Affairs
Interactive session and Question and Answer 12:25-12:45pm
Closing Remarks by Chief Guest Nasima Begum, NDC 12:45-12:55pm
National Human Rights Commission,
Bangladesh
Vote of Thanks Hedayetullah Al Mamoon 12:55-10:05pm
Chairman, NGO Foundation
and Chairperson of Ashshash Steering
Committee
Participants:
wide range of participants will be invited from the National Human Rights Commission, different ministry and
relevant government offices, SDC and NGO working on Migration and anti-human trafficking issues in Bangladesh
and other relevant stakeholders. The workshop is expected to end with the concluding remarks from
representative of Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC).