Bangladesh Boosts Border Security to Fight Human Trafficking

Bangladesh is intensifying its efforts to establish integrated border management systems, aiming to significantly curb human trafficking and other border-related crimes while simultaneously strengthening national security. This initiative was highlighted during a courtesy meeting between Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed and Ugochi Daniels, Deputy Director General of the International Organization for Migration (IOM).

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Bangladesh is working to introduce integrated border management to curb human trafficking and other border crimes and strengthen national security.

During the meeting at the UN House in Dhaka, Minister Ahmed described human trafficking as a "heinous crime." He acknowledged that greed, ignorance, and a lack of awareness often make individuals vulnerable to traffickers. The minister reiterated Bangladesh's commitment to ensuring safe, orderly, and dignified migration, detailing government steps to improve migration governance, protect migrants, and enhance border security.

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Terming human trafficking a 'heinous crime,' Salahuddin said many people fall victim to traffickers because of greed, ignorance, and a lack of awareness.

Ahmed expressed his hope for deepened cooperation with the IOM, which he described as a trusted partner for the past two decades. He inquired about the IOM's capacity to identify trafficking networks, to which Daniels confirmed the organization's ability to assist. Daniels also noted that the IOM, in collaboration with Interpol, possesses data on human trafficking trends that can be shared.

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The International Organization for Migration has been one of the home ministry’s most trusted and important partners for the past two decades.

Both parties reviewed their existing partnership and identified future priorities. Daniels praised the long-standing collaboration between the IOM and the Bangladesh government, assuring continued assistance for safe migration. Her visit to Bangladesh, from August 1 to 5, included discussions on the critical need for an integrated information management system to effectively combat human trafficking. The meeting was attended by the IOM's new Chief of Mission in Bangladesh, Dr. Laura Tomm-Bonde, and other senior officials.

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The organisation could help identify trafficking networks.