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1st e-judicial colloquium to halt human trafficking held


Published : 13 Oct 2020 08:59 PM | Updated : 14 Oct 2020 12:43 AM

The UNODC Global Action against Trafficking in Persons and the Smuggling of Migrants – Bangladesh (GLO.ACT-Bangladesh) Project on Tuesday organised Bangladesh E-Judicial Colloquium to address trafficking in persons and the smuggling of migrants.

The E-Judicial Colloquium aimed at enhancing Bangladesh’s criminal justice response to transnational organized crime, in particular, human trafficking and migrant smuggling, the UN office said.

The E-Colloquium presents an opportunity to better understand the types of cases that are currently being brought before the courts and the quality of justice meted out.

Participants included judges and prosecutors who, ideally but not exclusively, are working on the cases filed under the Prevention and Suppression of Human Trafficking Act, 2012, and the Overseas Employment and Migrants Act, 2013, or are working at the newly established Anti-trafficking Tribunals.

The colloquium was opened by Aimée Comrie, UNODC GLO.ACT Project Coordinator who warmly welcomed the over 60+ participants and introduced John Brandolino, Director, Division for Treaty Affairs, UNODC who in his opening remarks explained that, “Encountering victims of trafficking in court settings presents unique evidential challenges. Platforms such as the present Colloquium provide the opportunity for exchange and mutual learning on strategies that have been successfully applied by courts to address these evidential challenges, and useful resources for judicial officers.”

During his welcoming remarks, Sergey Kapinos, Representative, UNODC, Regional Office for South Asia, commended the efforts made by the Government of Bangladesh in extending support to vulnerable populations, especially during the COVID-19 period.

He went on to highlight the need for a strategic evidence-based mediumand long-term strategy to effectively prevent and suppress Trafficking in Persons and Smuggling of Migrants, in line with the National Plan of Action for Bangladesh.

GLO.ACT-Bangladesh is a joint initiative by the European Union (EU) and the United Nations Office on UNODC being implemented in partnership with the International Organization for Migration (IOM).

Speaking on behalf of the EU, Rensje Teerink, Ambassador and Head of the Delegation of the EU to Bangladesh reminded participants during her intervention that, “those taking advantage of fellow human beings, especially women and girls, should be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.”

Md. Golam Sarwar, Secretary, Law and Justice Division, Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs, said “It is pertinent to mention that, without robust criminal justice responses, human trafficking and smuggling migrants will remain a low-risk, high profit activity for the criminals.”

Anisul Huq, Minister for Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs, highlighted the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and said “The COVID-19 crisis and economic downturn are leaving more women, men and children at risk of being trafficked.”

“Today’s judiciary colloquium is timely as evidence is mounting that the COVID-19 crisis has further increased vulnerabilities and compounded trafficking risk. The Government of Bangladesh would like to step up action to prevent exploitation in the COVID-19 crisis, to identify and support trafficking victims, and bring perpetrators to justice. I, therefore, welcome this event to end the impunity, protect the vulnerable and stop this crime.”