US assures continued support to fight human trafficking

Helen LaFave, charge d ’affairs at US Embassy in Dhaka, said the United States will continue its support to Bangladesh in fighting against trafficking and revising the national action plan.

“We offer the continued support of the US government in fighting trafficking-in-persons in Bangladesh, she said.

She reaffirmed the commitment at the National Workshop for Revising and Extending the National Plan of Action for the Prevention and Suppression of Human Trafficking 2018-2022. The workshop was held in Hotel InterContinental Dhaka on January 18.

She said, “Human trafficking targets the most vulnerable in our communities. From April 2021 through March 2022 Bangladesh reported 580 cases of sex trafficking and 6,378 cases of labour trafficking. The victims were men, women, and even children.

“The damage this crime inflicts upon individuals, communities, and the country is widespread, and so too must be our response to it.

“We must continue to prioritize and expand inclusive, survivor-centred approaches to improve support services and help trafficking survivors reintegrate back into society more effectively” she added.

She also commented on Bangladesh’s placement on tier 2 for U S State Department’s Trafficking-in-Persons report since 2020 and stressed actions.

“Because of Bangladesh’s commitment, the U.S. State Department has placed Bangladesh on its Tier 2 for its Trafficking in Persons report since 2020. Since then, Bangladesh has also established seven special tribunals, created task forces at four of the tribunals, created one Women and Children Repression Prevention Tribunal in Cox’s Bazar, and demonstrated that it is committed to implementing the National Plan of Action.

The Trafficking in Persons Report rankings depend on an increase in activity from the year before, not just business as usual.

“Over the past year, USAID support has provided training to over 400 justice sector actors including judges, public prosecutors, tribunal staff, and panel lawyers. We also trained over 3,000 people at the local level, such as members of Counter Trafficking Committees and provided protection services to over 200 trafficking survivors.

We also realise we have more work to do. Part of this equation is strengthening the National Plan of Action to prevent trafficking.

Regarding the action against this crime she said, “However, no plan can be successful if it doesn’t lead to action. This is why the United States will continue to support the Government of Bangladesh’s efforts to strengthen the National Plan of Action and end the horrific crime of trafficking in persons.

She also mentions that too many Bangladeshis are still at-risk, and a large number of human trafficking cases are still pending.

Every year, nearly 25 million men, women, and children are bought and sold for commercial sexual exploitation, forced labour, and debt bondage.