“We work in the Rohingya camps for maintaining law and order, enhancing security, and supporting humanitarian operations. We had very limited knowledge about the Anti-Human Trafficking Act 2012. We had no in-depth knowledge about the investigation process and procedures of human trafficking cases. Today, we honestly thank YPSA and IOM for providing us with detailed ideas about the Act. It will really help us to get more insightful information while investigating any human trafficking cases.” Mohammad Golam Mostafa, Sub-Inspector (SI), 8-Armed Police Battalion (APBN), Ukhiya, Cox’s Bazar. Mr. Mostafa said this in 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” organized by Young Power in Social Action (YPSA) at Ukhiya, Cox’s Bazar on May 20, 2025.
A total of 25 personnel from the elite force actively participated in the training. 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). 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 and Mr. Tanim Rahman Mitu of YPSA facilitated sessions in the training.
The contents of the training covered understanding of human training, vulnerability of community people to human trafficking, necessity of evidence in investigation, confidentiality of victims and entire procedures and punishments under the Prevention and Suppression of Human Trafficking Act, 2012
Mr. Mohammed Shahidull Islam, Head of Rohingya Response Program and Deputy Director, YPSA was present as special guests in the training. He shared overall YPSA’s experience on interventions of counter trafficking implemented by YPSA.
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. He opined that the communities are vulnerable to trafficking due to their socio-economic factors. So, they are quite often targets of the traffickers who exploit them.
Note: YPSA in association with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) has been implementing the project titled, “Prevention and Response Activities Implementation on Counter Trafficking Issues” in the host and Rohingya camps in Cox’s Bazar since June 2018 and continues till the date.
Key Components of the Project:
- Community Sensitization Activities
- Meeting & Orientation
- Training
- Case Management
