Law event
Combating trafficking using the SAARC Convention
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“Implementation of law is impossible without changing the paradigm of thought" stated AKM Masud Ali in his presentation at an advocacy meeting on Implementation of SAARC Convention on Preventing and Combating Trafficking in Women and Children for Prostitution: Exploring Ways of Government-Civil Society Collaboration that was held on January 24, 2009 at training room, Rights Jessore under SANJOG-II project supported by Groupe Développement /European Commission.
Mr. Ali said, "The SAARC Convention would be a dynamic tool to protect women and children vulnerable to trafficking. We have to think whether it is being used to address the wide rage of trafficking issues rather than prostitution, removing the limitation of its definition and scope".
The Deputy Commissioner and Additional Police Super of Jessore attended the meeting as the chief guest and special guest. The advocacy meeting was graced by the presence of Mr. Abdur Rouf, Deputy Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs, Mr. Iqbal Hossain, Deputy Secretary, and Ministry of Establishment as the guest of honour. Advocate Sharif Abdur Rakib, the president of Rights Jessore also chaired the meeting. Mr. A K M Masud Ali, Executive Director, INCIDIN Bangladesh was present at the event facilitating the whole program and acted as a resource person. Government officials, civil society representatives and media persons from Dhaka, Jessore, Kustia, Meherpur, Chuadanga, Shatkhira and Jhenaidaha districts took part in the meeting.
Mr. Binoy Krishna Mallick, Executive Director of Rights Jessore emphasized the need to revise and quick enforcement of the convention for combating trafficking in person comprehensively.
Mr. Abdur Rouf, Deputy Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs explained that due to the trans-national nature of trafficking, prevention is impossible devoid of strengthening regional cooperation. He further added that even though there are a number of good legal instruments, problems remain in terms of implementation. He said, "We have prepared a PoA for quick repatriation from India. In Indian part, process is going on. It's one of our achievements. We are monitoring and regulating recruiting agencies. In the meantime some of them have been punished. Awareness is being created among them. Police headquarter is maintaining a database regarding trafficking. Joint coordination meeting is being organized regularly. We are on the way forward...".
-Law Desk.
