YPSA) organized “Consultation Meeting with Judges, Legal Practitioners, and District-Level Protection Stakeholders on Ensuring Trafficking Victim Rights and Justice” at Hotel Media International, Cox’s Bazar on 30th June 2025. This important meeting was organized under the project titled “Prevention and Response Activities Implementation on Counter Trafficking Issues,” being implemented by YPSA in collaboration with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in Cox’s Bazar since June 2018.
The prime objectives of the Consultation Meeting:
Understanding key gaps and collaboration among stakeholders in ensuring justice for victims of trafficking (VoTs) with special reference to the Rohingya community in Bangladesh
A review of stakeholder responsibilities in promoting justice for VoTs
Challenges and potential mitigation strategies
The consultation took the form of a panel discussion, focusing on the objectives of the meeting. Panellists representing the legal and law enforcement sectors shared insights and experiences related to victim protection and justice delivery. The role of moderator was played by Mr. A.B.M. Abu Noman, Professor, Department of Law, University of Chittagong while Mr. Mohammad Osman Ghani, District & Sessions Judge, Judge, Nari O Shishu Nirjaton Daman Tribunal-2, Cox’s Bazar, Mr. S.M. Zillur Rahman, District & Sessions Judge, Judge, Nari O Shishu Nirjaton Domon Tribunal-1, Cox’s Bazar, Mr. Md. Shaifuddin Shaheen, Superintendent of Police, Bangladesh Police, Cox’s Bazar, and Ms. Shazzatun Nessa Lipi, Senior Assistant Judge, District Legal Aid Officer, Cox’s Bazar talked in the consultation meetings as the panellists.
In the consultation meetings, participants from different relevant sectors included judges, Counter Trafficking Committee (CTC) members, prosecutors, investigating personnel, Legal Aid Officer, law enforcement agency personnel, representatives from Criminal Investigation Department (CID), academic experts, UN and I/NGO leaders, legal aid & victim rights advocates and other protection stakeholders actively participated.
At the onset of the consultation meeting, Mr. Jishu Barua, Assistant Director and Counter Trafficking Focal of YPSA presented a current scenario of the trafficking and common sufferings of the victims in aspects of their legal battles against the perpetrators across Bangladesh, particularly in Cox’s Bazar. He also shared the barriers to the justice system for the people affected by trafficking, particularly the Rohingyas affected by trafficking in the country.
In his welcome speech, Mr. Mohammed Shahidull Islam, Head of Rohingya Response Program and Deputy Director gave a brief account on the counter trafficking activities of YPSA, and thanks to the panelists and participants for joining the Consultation Meeting.
Mr. Md. Shaifuddin Shaheen, Superintendent of Police, Bangladesh Police, Cox’s Bazar Said, “investigation is very vital for the cases of trafficking, but due to multiple engagement of the personnel and shortage of workforce, it is sometimes not possible to give ample time in the investigate which is definitely a drawback and should be overcome for ensuring rights and justice for the victims of trafficking.”
Ms. Shazzatun Nessa Lipi, Senior Assistant Judge, District Legal Aid Officer, Cox’s Bazar informed the meeting that there is a legal obligation for providing legal aid services to the citizens of Bangladesh. However, in case of the Rohingya victims, there are some procedures to maintain. However, her department provides support to all the justice seekers following the procedures.
Mr. Mohammad Osman Ghani, District & Sessions Judge, Judge, Nari O Shishu Nirjaton Daman Tribunal-2, Cox’s Bazar, opined that there should be tracker for keeping records of the victims and trafficking incidents so that solid and comprehensive documents are created which will certainly help ensure rights and justice for the victims of trafficking.
YPSA held a pre-consultation meeting with the members of the Anti-Trafficking Working Group (ATWG), particularly with those providing legal assistance to the victims of trafficking in the Rohingya refugee camps in Cox’s Bazar. The prime objective of the pre-consultation meeting was to identify the gaps in services in ensuring justice and safety of the victims of trafficking in the Rohingya camp context.
Summary of the Consultation Meeting:
- Strengthening coordination between the judiciary and law enforcement to ensure more effective handling of trafficking cases.
- Enhance victim tracking systems to build stronger case evidence and improve case outcomes.
- Establish a dedicated legal mechanism for investigating human trafficking cases at the police station level.
- Ensure protection for witnesses under the Prevention and Suppression of Human Trafficking Act 2012.
- Apply the Prevention and Suppression of Human Trafficking Act (PSHTA), 2012 to trafficking cases involving Rohingyas within Bangladeshi territory.