Home minister vows tough action against cyber-enabled human trafficking

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed on Tuesday pledged tough action against international human trafficking networks exploiting digital platforms and online scams.

"The government will soon launch a technology-driven strategy to combat cyber-enabled trafficking," he said.

The minister made the remarks while speaking at the launch of LISTEN, a documentary photo book featuring testimonies of trafficking survivors, at the UN House in Dhaka.

Salahuddin Ahmed said traffickers are increasingly using fake online job offers and digital deception to lure victims into cross-border cyber scams and forced labour.

He said the upcoming initiative, titled "Countering Cyber Enabled Human Trafficking through Technology," will focus on detecting trafficking activities through digital tools, strengthening legal action and enhancing victim protection.

Emphasising that human trafficking cannot be tackled by any single country alone, Salahuddin called for stronger collaboration among law enforcement agencies, civil society, international organisations and the media.

The event was organised by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) as part of the observance of World Day Against Trafficking in Persons.