Integrated border management key to curbing human trafficking: Home minister

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed on Tuesday said the government is implementing integrated border management as a key strategy to prevent human trafficking, curb cross-border crimes and strengthen national security.

"Human trafficking is one of the most heinous crimes. Most victims fall prey due to greed, ignorance and lack of awareness," he said. He made the remarks during a meeting with International Organization for Migration (IOM) Deputy Director General Ugochi Daniels at the UN House in Gulshan.

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The minister said Bangladesh remains committed to ensuring safe, orderly and dignified migration, adding that integrated border management would play a vital role in preventing human trafficking and other transnational crimes, said a press release.

He also highlighted the government's initiatives to strengthen migration governance, protect migrants and enhance border security, while describing IOM as one of the home ministry's most trusted development partners for more than two decades. Ahmed sought to know whether IOM maintains information on human trafficking networks.

In response, Daniels said the organisation can assist in identifying trafficking syndicates and possesses data on global human trafficking trends, which it shares in cooperation with Interpol.

Daniels reaffirmed IOM's commitment to supporting Bangladesh in promoting safe migration and stressed the importance of integrated information management to combat human trafficking effectively.

The meeting reviewed the longstanding partnership between the home ministry and IOM and discussed future areas of cooperation. IOM's newly appointed Chief of Mission in Bangladesh, Dr Laura Tomm-Bonde, and senior officials from both sides were present.