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Crack down on human traffickers regardless of their influence: Rizvi
Published : Thursday, 30 July, 2026 at 4:09 PM
Observer Staff Correspondent
Prime Minister's Political Adviser and BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on Thursday urged the government to crack down on human traffickers without considering the influence of any criminal syndicate, stressing that ensuring citizens' security and upholding the rule of law are essential to preventing the crime.
Speaking at a discussion held at the RC Majumdar Auditorium of the Theatre Building at the University of Dhaka, Rizvi said the government's primary objective should be to dismantle human trafficking networks irrespective of their power or influence.
He underscored the need for stronger anti-trafficking legislation and effective enforcement of the rule of law, arguing that criminal syndicates would not have flourished if the rule of law had been firmly established.
"The absence of the rule of law has led to widespread injustice and exploitation at the grassroots level," he said, adding that semi-literate and illiterate people often fail to communicate effectively with local authorities and therefore become easy targets of traffickers and fraudsters.
Rizvi said many people, driven by the hope of a better life abroad, sell their land or other assets after falling victim to false promises made by trafficking syndicates. Instead of securing employment overseas, many end up being trafficked, losing everything they own. Some are deported before or after reaching their destination due to legal complications, leaving them in severe financial and social distress.
Describing human trafficking as a modern form of slavery, he said the crime is fuelled by a combination of political and social factors, including statelessness, limited employment opportunities, displacement, child marriage and lack of education.
He noted that people deprived of education are less likely to become self-reliant, making them more vulnerable to traffickers.
Rizvi also called on the state to fulfil its responsibility toward society, pointing out that people from developing countries are among the most frequent victims of human trafficking.
"There is no alternative to strict enforcement of the law, establishing the rule of law and ensuring citizens' security to combat this crime," he said.
He added, "There is no need to consider how influential a trafficking syndicate is. The priority should be to eliminate them. Every citizen's right to security must be ensured. Otherwise, poor and lower-middle-class people will continue to be trapped in the chains of modern slavery."
-HIS
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Editor : Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury
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Published by the Editor on behalf of the Observer Ltd. from Globe Printers, 24/A, New Eskaton Road, Ramna, Dhaka.
Editorial, News and Commercial Offices : Aziz Bhaban (2nd floor), 93, Motijheel C/A, Dhaka-1000.
Phone: PABX- 41053001-06; Advertisement: 41053012; 01793317829, 01550707291, E-mail: [email protected], [email protected] Online: email: [email protected] 41053014; 01550707297 Advertisement: 01550707296
