As a part of its initiatives for combating human training and ensuring justice for the trafficked victims, YPSA organized “Training on Human Trafficking Act-2012” for the members of 8-Armed Police Battalion (APBn) at Ukhiya, Cox’s Bazar on 26th January, 2023. The training was organized under the project titled, “Prevention and Response Activities Implementation on Counter Trafficking Issues” being implemented by YPSA with support from International Organization for Migration (IOM). In the training, Mr. Al Mahmud, Social Services Officer of Ukhiya Sub-district was present as Special Guest. Representatives from IOM were present as observers.
On behalf of YPSA management, Mr. Jishu Barua, Program Manager and Counter Trafficking Focal greeted the guests and participants of the training. In his greeting speech, he shared an overview of YPSA and objectives of the training as well. In addition, he underscored the significance of strong evidence collection against perpetrators to ensure justice of the trafficking victims.
In his greeting speech, Mr. Al Mahmud, Social Services Officer of Ukhiya Upazila said, “YPSA has been working on Counter Trafficking issues in the sub-district for a long time. After 2018, incidents of human trafficking started to increase. As per the decision of the Counter Trafficking Committee (CTC) of Ukhiya sub-district, YPSA has been creating awareness on anti-human trafficking issues at the community level and capacity building of the different duty bearers. As a part of it, YPSA has organized the training for the Armed Police Battalion (APBN) so that human trafficking can be prevented through a collaboration of the law enforcement agencies, local administration and community people. On behalf of Upazila administration, I really appreciate YPSA for organizing the training.” YPSA is closely working with district, sub-district and union level Counter Trafficking Committees (CTC) to combat human training which is really appreciable, he added.
Mr. Suvra Adhikari, Project Officer of YPSA presented the overview of the Counter Trafficking Project being implemented by YPSA with support from IOM. Mr. Tanim Mr. Tanim Rahman Mitu, Project Officer, YPSA shared the challenges of reintegration and legal fight against human trafficking issues in Bangladesh, especially in Cox’s Bazar.
However, the objectives of the training are to orient the human trafficking Act 2012, how to investigate any cases of human trafficking efficiently, how to ensure protection of a victim under the Act, how to help the trafficked victims get justice through collecting relevant information, documents and elements of the cases.
It is worth mentioning that the government of Bangladesh made the, “Prevention and Suppression of Human Trafficking Act 2012” to combat human trafficking in the country. In 2017, the government passed the Rules of the Act as well. In order to orient the act among more people and agencies, YPSA alongside the Bangladesh Government has been working over the years. As a part of the initiative, YPSA organizes the training to provide technical support to the agencies for their capacity development to counter trafficking in light of the HT Act 2012 of Bangladesh.
Mr. Sariful Hoque, Assistant Judge, Chattogram was the key facilitator who facilitated sessions on the Act of 2012 and the Rules of 2017 on a practical ground. He detailed out the significant parts of the Act which are crucial to know for us all to support the trafficking victims to get justice. The discussion points included definition of human trafficking as per Act 2012, how an investigator can prepare help himself to find out the true element of the case, how to prepare an investigation report, how to establish authenticity of the report, witness of the case, protection of victims as well as of witness, punishment of perpetrators under the ACT etc.
One of the training participants, Mr. Md. Mozamel, Sub-Inspector, APBn said, “I knew there is a law, but I was not oriented on it specifically. This training is an eye opening for me professionally. Now I can apply my learnings while investigating any human trafficking cases. Definitely I will be able to prepare an evident based investigation report to help a victim get justice as well as to bring the traffickers to book ultimately.”
The training ended with an open discussion in which participants asked some significant questions. The facilitators entertained those questions accordingly.
Panel of Facilitator of the Training:
- Mr. Sariful Hoque, Assistant Judge, Chattogram
- Mr. Jishu Barua, Program Manager and Counter Trafficking Focal, YPSA
- Mr. Suvra Adhikari, Protect Officer, YPSA
- Mr. Tanim Rahman Mitu, Project Officer, YPSA
