The government will take strict measures against international human trafficking networks that are exploiting digital platforms and online scams to deceive and trap victims, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed said on Tuesday.
He made the remarks at an event marking World Day against Trafficking in Persons, where he launched LISTEN, a documentary photography book featuring real-life stories of trafficking survivors, and opened a photography exhibition at the UN House in Gulshan, Dhaka.
The event was organised by the International Organisation for Migration (IOM).
Salahuddin said human trafficking not only violates individual freedom and dignity but also poses a serious threat to society.
He said the government is working to strengthen law enforcement capacity, technological capabilities and public awareness to tackle technology-enabled crimes.
“Statistics alone cannot capture the devastating human impact of human trafficking,” he said, adding that the stories of survivors featured in LISTEN would help raise awareness and reinforce the country’s commitment to preventing the crime.
Highlighting this year’s World Day against Trafficking in Persons theme, “Trapped Behind the Scam,” the minister warned that organised criminal groups are increasingly using deceptive online methods to traffic people across borders and force them into cyber scams, fraudulent activities and exploitative labour.
He said the Ministry of Home Affairs would soon launch a coordinated initiative titled “Countering Cyber Enabled Human Trafficking through Technology” to detect trafficking activities carried out through digital platforms, ensure legal action and provide protection to victims.
The minister stressed that human trafficking cannot be eliminated by any single country or government alone.
He called for stronger cooperation among law enforcement agencies, civil society, international organisations and the media to address the issue.
He thanked the IOM and the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) for their support.
IOM Deputy Director General for Operations Ugochi Daniels, KOICA Bangladesh Country Director Jihoon Kim and UN Resident Coordinator in Bangladesh Carol Flore-Smereczniak also spoke at the event.
IOM Bangladesh Chief of Mission Laura Tomm-Bonde delivered the vote of thanks.
Government officials, diplomatic representatives, development partners and civil society members attended the programme.
LISTEN documents the experiences of women, men and children who survived trafficking, while also highlighting challenges linked to migration, climate change and vulnerable communities.
It is the first documentary photography book of its kind in Bangladesh, according to the organisers.
