National Consultation program held on "Steps towards Developing NPA 2012 for Combating Human Trafficking"

DHAKA: Joint Secretary (Political) of Ministry of Home Affairs (MoHA) Dr. Kamal Uddin Ahmed, Secretary of MoHA Mr. Abdus Sobhan Shikder and Consultant Dr. Ridwana Hoque are discussing at a National Consultation Program on "Steps towards Developing NPA 2012 for Combating Human Trafficking" was organized by Ministry of Home Affairs with the assistance from USAID and Winrock International at a city hotel on September 29, 2011. 

National Consultation program held on "Steps towards Developing NPA 2012 for Combating Human Trafficking"

DHAKA, SEPT 29: A National Consultation program held on "Steps towards Developing NPA 2012 for Combating Human Trafficking" was organized by Ministry of Home Affairs with the assistance from USAID and Winrock International at a city hotel on September 29, 2011, said a press release.

The meeting was started with welcome address of Dr. Kamal Uddin Ahmed, Joint Secretary (Political) of Ministry of Home Affairs. He endorsed the need for a strong Action oriented, measurable strategic Plan for fighting against the inhuman crime like Human Trafficking. Mr. Abdus Sobhan Shikder, Secretary of the Ministry of Home Affairs was the chief guest of the Consultation program. He emphasized on the joint actions and coordination among the govt. and non-govt. organization in order to develop NPA 2012.

 To fights against human trafficking collectively, MoHA has taken lots of effective measures & recently a Ministry drafted comprehensive law on Human Trafficking has been approved in principal by the Cabinet and hopefully it will be placed in the Parliament within a short time.

As a consultant for giving support MoHA in drafting next three years (2012- 2014) Plan of Action, Dr. Ridwanul Hoque, Associate Professor of the Department of Law, Dhaka University, presented the key findings and highlighted necessity of the review of previous NPA 2008 and its challenges for implementation during last course of action plan.

NPA 2008 was not including adult male trafficking and not systematical with new international developments. He mentioned that there was a lack of effective coordination between the agencies which had responsibilities to implement the NPA 2008- 2011. He recommended, need to develop an effective/ strong monitoring system; Policy for making coordination; increase the resource and awareness to fight against the crime of human trafficking through making a strong strategic plan for next duration.

 Ms. Sara Piazzano, Chief of party of Winrock suggested to develop NPA 2012, in a participatory way and based on the reality of Bangladesh.

In the Group work of active participants recommended that the next Action Plan should be flexible to monitor undue privilege and deceptive practice of

Recruiting Agencies and also should be a tool for implementation of actions to combat human trafficking & ensure safe migration within and outside of the boundary.

Ms. Rukhsana Hasin, Senior Assistant Secretary of MoHA gave Vote of thanks to all participants and expressed gratitude to take part in development of next Plan of Actions to Combat Human Trafficking.