Bangladesh: UNODC facilitates a workshop to enhance intelligence-led response to trafficking in persons and smuggling of migrants

Dhaka, Bangladesh/23 April 2024: It is virtually impossible for organized criminal networks to operate without creating auditing trails in advertising, rentals, transportation, communications, and financial transactions. Each of these areas affords intelligence-gathering opportunities and may lead to the rescue and repatriation of the victims of the crime.

To support and enhance the capacity of Bangladesh in proactively responding to trafficking in persons (TIP) and smuggling of migrants (SOM), the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) facilitated 2 – days workshop on 22 – 23 April 2024 in Dhaka, Bangladesh. 27 (5 female, 22 male) staffs of a security force in Bangladesh actively participated the workshop.

During the opening ceremony, the Chief Guest of the ceremony Marco Teixeira, Regional Representative of UNODC South Asia stressed on the importance of coordinated response to TIP and SOM and commented, “UNODC has a key role and responsibility in advancing consistent policy and coordinated, victim-centered action to counter trafficking in persons and smuggling of migrants. We support countries in developing national action plans, strategies, and legislation to counter trafficking based on the principles of prevention, protection, and prosecution.”

The substantive sessions of the workshop focused on building a firm concept on TIP and SOM from in both national and international context. Through interactive discussion and case studies, participants were able to develop a clear understanding of the concept of TIP and SOM and the distinction between these two inter-connected but distinct crimes.

Day 2 included sessions facilitated by Md. Shahjahan Hossain, PPM, Additional Special Superintendent of Police from the Criminal Investigation Department of Bangladesh Police, and A.B.M Imdadul Haque Khan, Advocate, Supreme Court of Bangladesh. Through these sessions, participants became aware of the roles of different stakeholders working to counter TIP and SOM which will help them develop strategies for enhancing coordination with these stakeholders. 

In the last session, UNODC facilitated a vibrant SWOT analysis exercise with the participants. At the closing ceremony of the workshop, participants appreciated UNODC and shared that through the workshop they have learnt how to apply the legal frameworks and gathered analytical skills to effectively address TIP and SOM in Bangladesh.

Building on the insightful suggestions of the participants, UNODC will tailor institution-specific training plans to effectively meet the needs of security personnel in Bangladesh. 

(Supported by the Government of Bangladesh)