The New Nation - Internet Edition

UNB, Dhaka

Home Affairs Adviser Maj Gen (retd) MA Matin Sunday said it is necessary to implement all the charters including the SAARC charter relating to human trafficking to combat trafficking of women and children.

"Besides, the government, international organizations and other NGOs will have to come forward in preventing women and child trafficking. The government has to take realistic initiatives in this regard," he told a workshop.

Ministry of Home Affairs organized the workshop on 'Finalization of National Plan of Action (NPA) for combating trafficking in Women and Children at Jatiya Mahila Sangstha.

The Adviser said curbing human trafficking should not be enough but those who were the victims of trafficking need to be rehabilitated in society so none can neglect them.

He said the government set up a monitoring cell at the Home Ministry in 2004 where government organizations and NGOs are working jointly to stop the trafficking.

Mentioning various reasons behind human trafficking, Matin said poverty is one of the main reasons behind it. "If we really want to solve this problem, we must improve the economical condition of our country," he said.

He appreciated different aspects of the draft of National Plan of Action for combating trafficking in Women and Children in Bangladesh. Home secretary Abdul Karim said despite being an overpopulated country, the rate of human trafficking is much lower since 1996 compared to neighbouring countries like India, Pakistan and Nepal.