Bangladesh: UNODC Empowers Law Enforcement Officials with capacity building to counter Money Laundering, Trafficking in Persons and Smuggling of Migrants

Dhaka, Bangladesh/18 May 2023: In a first of its kind initiative, UNODC, under the framework of the Global Action against Trafficking in Persons and the Smuggling of Migrants-Bangladesh (GLO.ACT-Bangladesh), brought together key officials from government departments and law enforcement agencies from Bangladesh for a four-day specialized workshop focused on money laundering aspects in the context of trafficking in persons and smuggling of migrants.

The workshop delved into the intricate world of international money laundering, intertwining it with the pressing issue of trafficking in persons, with an aim to empower participants with essential knowledge and skills to effectively address this complex crime. Over the course of the four days, the workshop covered a wide range of topics, enabling participants to identify the nature, scale, and elements of human trafficking while developing an awareness of the typologies of money laundering.

Participants gained invaluable insights on ways to formulate comprehensive investigative plans to counter human trafficking and money laundering. The workshop also enhanced participants' understanding of the international dimensions involved in human trafficking and money laundering investigations, providing them with a global perspective.

With group exercises, participants reflected on critical areas such as victim identification, rescue operations, evidence collection, and building strong cases against trafficking in persons and money laundering. The interactive exercises allowed participants to apply their newfound knowledge and develop practical solutions to combat these crimes effectively.

Participants emphasized the need for regular capacity building training on anti-money laundering aspects of trafficking in persons, recognizing its crucial role in combating these crimes. They also stressed the importance of building a network of stakeholders to enhance collaboration and better address money laundering cases related to trafficking in persons. Notably, they called for joint efforts between the Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit (BFIU) and Bangladesh Police to prevent anti-money laundering in trafficking in persons cases, recognizing the significance of a unified approach.

UNODC remains committed to supporting governments, strengthening international cooperation, and fostering innovative approaches to eradicate human trafficking and smuggling of migrants worldwide.

This activity contributed to SDG 3, SDG 5, SDG 16 and SDG 17: https://sdg-tracker.org/

(Supported by European Union)