Call to create fund for victims of human trafficking
Anti-trafficking activities and rehabilitation of the victims has slowed due to a lack of adequate funds, speakers have said
Civil society activists have called on the government to create funds for the proper rehabilitation of the victims of human trafficking as well as support their families.
Poverty is a leading cause for human trafficking, which is a national problem in the country, mainly affecting poor women and children. If the victims are deprived of getting the support, they cannot be involved into the mainstream of society, they said.
They were addressing a press conference titled "Call to Create a Fund for Victims of Human Trafficking" at the Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU) today, read a press release.
Community Participation and Development (CPD), a consortium member of Prevention of Child Trafficking through Strengthening Community and Networking, arranged the event.
Advocate Md Rafiqual Islam Khan, programme manager of INCIDIN Bangladesh, Sharifullah Riaz, project coordinator of CPD, Shohan Islam, joint secretary of the National Child Task Force (NCTF), Umme Kulsum Tanha, vice president of NCTF, also spoke.
The speakers said anti-trafficking activities and rehabilitation of the victims has slowed due to a lack of adequate funds.
The National Plan of Action (2018-2022) for combating human trafficking stipulates there be compensation for trafficked people, that they be reunited with their families and that offenders get the maximum punishment, the speakers said.
The Plan of Action also stipulated Counter Trafficking Committees (CTC) be strengthened across the country to combat the problem. Such committees need adequate financial support for their smooth functioning, they added.
The speakers also called on mass media to raise awareness about the issue.
