Experts stress media awareness on human trafficking prevention

A day-long workshop aimed at sensitising media professionals on preventing human trafficking and migrant smuggling was held in the capital on Thursday under the title “Prevention and Suppression of Human Trafficking and Smuggling of Migrants Act, 2026.”

The workshop was organised at the CIRDAP auditorium by the Ministry of Home Affairs with support from Justice & Care, said a press release.

Senior Secretary of the Home Ministry Manzur Morshed Chowdhury attended the event as chief guest. Additional Secretary Dr Ziauddin Ahmed presided over the programme, while Joint Secretary Rebeka Khan was present as special guest.

Country Director of Justice & Care Md Tariqul Islam presented the keynote paper.

Speaking at the event, Manzur said human trafficking and migrant smuggling have become global challenges and that Bangladesh has taken a leading role in enacting laws in line with international standards to combat such crimes.

He said the government formulated the “Prevention and Suppression of Human Trafficking and Smuggling of Migrants Act, 2026” in line with the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime (UNTOC) and its supplementary TIP and SOM protocols.

The senior secretary said the new law places special emphasis not only on strict action against traffickers but also on protecting victims and ensuring their rights.

He added that modern crimes such as online fraud, scamming, and extortion have also been brought under the scope of the law.

“To prevent human trafficking, strict laws alone are not enough. Media professionals must play a strong role in creating public awareness,” he said.

The workshop highlighted several new provisions included in the law, including powers to freeze bank accounts, seize properties, and conduct trials in absentia against traffickers. Forgery of passports or visas for migrant smuggling has also been made a punishable offense under the legislation.

Officials said the law is expected to strengthen financial accountability of criminal networks and ensure quicker justice for victims.

Among the major changes introduced in the new law are separate and internationally aligned definitions of human trafficking and migrant smuggling based on UN protocols, stricter punishments for aiding traffickers, and penalties for online migration fraud and sexual exploitation-related crimes.

The law also empowers investigators to use provisions under the Money Laundering Prevention Act, 2012 to verify assets and freeze accounts linked to trafficking activities.

Special tribunals will now be able to simultaneously try related crimes such as assault, drug trafficking, and sexual violence, which previously required separate legal proceedings.

The legislation also strengthens victim and witness protection measures. Threatening victims or witnesses now carries rigorous imprisonment of three to seven years, while forcing out-of-court settlements is punishable by two to five years in prison.

It further clarifies that trafficking victims will not be treated as accused persons for unintentional illegal acts committed during trafficking, such as carrying forged passports or illegal border entry.

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Officials responsible for monitoring rehabilitation shelters will also be required to submit reports every six months under the new provisions.

A total of 48 representatives from leading print and electronic media outlets across the country participated in the workshop.

Speakers at the event expressed hope that proper implementation and widespread awareness of the new law would help reduce illegal migration and dismantle human trafficking networks.