The northern region is extremely vulnerable for internal and external trafficking. There are many forms of human trafficking and has many faces. Its has been exploiting the of men, women and children into bonded or abusive labor or the commercial sex business. Trafficking has been violating the rights of its victims, damaging their lives, feeding corruption and creating harms for the society at all levels.
Due to globalization process, criminal organizations are taking benefit and advantage of having open borders and technological progress has been increasing their reach. We are now witnessing an increased in transnational organized crime all over the world as well as in Bangladesh. The advances made by science and technology have been leading to changes, whose effects are visible and reflecting in our society. Crime has been becoming increasingly transnational and criminals are now becoming better informed with improved tools at their disposal.
In the constitution of Bangladesh there exist different policy and laws but in most cases the policies and laws are not in practice. In the different existing articles such as Section 366A, Section 366A, Section 373 includes different law and policy but still the trafficking situation remain unchanged.
The Cruelty to Women Ordinance, passed in the year 1983, calls for sentences of 14 years to life imprisonment for kidnapping and abduction the of women, but this is rarely carried out, as there are many loopholes and constraints.
In another law of 1995, the Woman and Child Repression Act enacted in 1995. It provides for capital punishment to offenders or perpetrators. It debars the granting of bail to persons accused of heinous offenses against women and children. The penalty imposed in section 8 of this act for trafficking and associated offenses is life imprisonment and fine. Section 9 has provision of a penalty of 10 years with a minimum of 7 years imprisonment for abduction to commit immoral act on women and children. This Act provides the setting up of separate courts to trial cases coming under it, one in each district. So far ten such courts have been established. It is proposed to review their performance and effectiveness before setting up the courts in other districts.
The advocacy issues to be addressed:
• Lack of practice of existing policy and law related to trafficking
• Lack of local advocacy initiatives and protection measures due to lack of understanding
• Lack of idea about role of local government related to trafficking
• Lack of advocacy initiatives and existence of malpractices and lack of justice for the victims
• Policy makers are not aware and responsive to the issue
• Lack of advocacy campaign and dialogue that can chance formulate the new policy.
The issues has been identified through Focus Group Discussion (FGD) with different stakeholders, review to secondary data and attained experience during this period of time.
It is expected that a mechanism will be created that will protect the trafficking and ensure use of policy and practices related to trafficking.
The key activities that may be undertaken are as follows:
•Initial Assessment, Formulation of Surveillance Committee, Providing Training to different Stakeholders, Advocacy workshop with Police and Lawyer, Advocacy workshop with media people, Documentation and media campaign, Advocacy with the policy makers, Advocacy with lawyers and police, Advocacy campaign at Union, Upazila and District, Participating in National dialogue, Developing and Distributing information and education materials and Networking.
•Day Observation: Trafficking is one of many issues needs to be highlighted on November 25th, as an internal trafficking day. The activities of the day would be the Rally, Discussion Session and Cultural program so that be people become aware and can understand the significance of the day. It will also play advocacy role through ensuring the involvement of policy makers, local government representatives and other key stakeholders.
1 comments:
This is an issue that every country has been suffering even before. And every authority, private or public should take actions to at-least lessen the number of victims and for the victims to be helped.
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