YPSA organized a training titled, “Training on CT Issues, Human Smuggling, Anti-Human Trafficking Act 2012, Case Management, Victims of Trafficking (VoT) Reintegration and Referral Mechanism with Law Enforcement Agency” participated by the Personnel of 8th Armed Police Battalion (APBn) at Ukhiya, Cox’s Bazar on November 26, 2024.
A total of 20 personnel from the elite force actively participated in the training. The training has been 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). Notably, two special police battalions, formed to ensure security of Rohingyas, have been carrying out the responsibility to ensure law and order inside the refugee camps in Cox’s Bazar since July 2020.
An expert team of resource persons having a long background of working on the counter trafficking issues facilitated sessions in the training. The resource persons included Mr. Jishu Barua, Assistant Director and Counter Trafficking Focal, Project Officers – Mr. Suvra Adhikari, Ms. Shanuching Marma and Mr. Tanim Rahman Mitu of YPSA facilitated sessions in the training. Besides, Ms. Shaki-A-Kawsar, Advocate, District & Session Judge Court, Cox’s Bazar facilitated a session on legal procedure in the training.
Mr. Mohammed Shahidull Islam, Head of Rohingya Response Program and Deputy Director, YPSA and Mr. Sayeduzzaman, Sr. Field Specialist of IOM were present as special guests in the training.
For the four specific objectives, YPSA organized the training for the personnel of different Law Enforcement Agencies including APBn which are as follows.
- To develop an in-depth understanding of the HT Act. 2012 among the Law Enforcement Agency Personnel
- To enhance capacity of investigation and prosecution of the HT cases under the Act
- To provide protection to the victim of trafficking ensuring their safety and well-being under the Act.
- To increase collaboration among different stakeholders for VoT reintegration and ensure punishment of traffickers under the Act
At the onset of the training, Mr. Jishu Barua, Assistant Director and Counter Trafficking Focal, YPSA presented an overview of the trends of human trafficking in Cox’s Bazar particularly in the Rohingya camps. He outlined the reasons for the increase of trafficking both in the host community and Rohingya camps in Cox’s Bazar.
Mr. Mohammad Matiur Rahma, S.I., APBn, said, “We want to give special thanks to YPSA and IOM for taking initiatives to provide training on the Anti-Human Trafficking Act, 2012, services for trafficking victims which are very crucial for them. I personally recommend that this training should be provided to other colleagues of ours so that we are all on the same page, and are able to work for prevention of human trafficking and protection of the victims who have been through exploitation. In addition, we have learned about how to collect evidence which support victims to get justice under Anti-Human Trafficking Act 2012.”
YPSA in association with International Organization for Migration (IOM) commenced in June 2018 and will continue the project up to August 2025 as per the current agreement.
The objective of the project is to ensure safety, well-being and dignity of crisis affected Rohingya refugee and host community population by mitigating, preventing and protecting against trafficking in persons in Cox’s Bazar District.
The major activities of the project include;
- Community Awareness Activities on Counter Trafficking Issues
- Meeting with the Counter Trafficking Committee (CTC)
- Orientation on Counter Trafficking Issues
- Capacity Building Training
- Case Management and Reintegration of Victims of Trafficking
