Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has said that government has adopted policy of zero tolerance to deal with human trafficking.
At the parliamentary session on Wednesday, she said that in recent times human trafficking has increased alarmingly and Bangladesh has taken strong measure against it.
“The law enforcers have been given strict orders to adopt zero tolerance policy against human trafficking.”
Prime Minister said that Bangladesh has raised ‘diplomatic efforts’ to cooperate with other countries to prevent human trafficking and bringing back victims of trafficking stranded in other countries.
The recent discovery of mass graves of the trafficking victims at an abandoned refugee camp in Thailand has brought the spotlight on trafficking in global discourse.
More than three thousand victims were rescued from the traffickers’ boats in the coastal areas of Malaysia, Indonesia, and Thailand.
According to the international media reports, most of the victims were Bangladeshis and Rohingyas.
Recently 200 victims were rescued from a boat floating in the waters of Myanmar. After verifying the nationalities, Bangladesh brought back 178 men who were victims of trafficking.
In response to a question, the PM said that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s visit to Bangladesh had been fruitful for the country.
“He (Modi) has said that the Teesta water-sharing agreement would soon take place.”
Narendra Modi, during his two-day visit to Bangladesh in early June, signed several MoUs, agreements, and protocols aimed at strengthening bilateral ties.
In response to a question on the introduction of a pension scheme for private organisations, she said, “Private organisations should plan their own pension schemes. However, the government would provide help if needed.”
Speaking about the violence and consequent losses during the BNP-led 20-Party Alliance’s blockade and general strikes, Hasina said, “Proper legal steps are being taken against those who committed murder by hurling petrol bombs and those who instigated such violence.”
Hasina said the BNP-led alliance’s agitation in the name of a political movement was an attempt to disrupt people’s life and peace.
“But the law enforcers’ relentless effort and determination prevented them from doing so and made it possible to ensure safety and well-being. People were with us. They were not influenced by the unlawful general strikes and blockade.”
Sheikh Hasina blamed the BNP-Jamaat-e-Islami sponsored agitation for the harm caused to the country’s assets and its image abroad. It has largely affected foreign investments in the country.
A large number of cases have been filed against those who took part in acts of ‘violence and sabotage’ unleashed by the BNP-Jamaat in the name of ‘political movements’.
She said, “The district judges have been given authority to try them under the Anti-terrorism Act for speedy resolution of the cases.
“To speed up investigations, senior officials have been asked to monitor their progress.”
The government is determined to prevent all forms of violence, the PM added.
Source: Bd news24
