Govt vows zero tolerance for human trafficking

The government has adopted a zero-tolerance policy towards human trafficking and organised crime, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed has said.

He made the remarks during a courtesy meeting with Winrock International President and CEO Maksuda Maksudi at the Home Ministry in the Secretariat on October 26.

The meeting discussed the Prevention and Suppression of Human Trafficking Act, the Digital National Referral Mechanism (NRM) platform and sustainable rehabilitation of trafficking victims.

The home minister said the government was working to protect and rehabilitate trafficking victims and bring perpetrators to justice swiftly through the effective operation of the National Referral Mechanism and the Human Trafficking Prevention Fund.

He said the ministry was providing necessary assistance to expedite the approval of NGO activities and new projects related to human trafficking prevention.

Salahuddin also said immediate legal action had been taken against trafficking and fraud networks operating through cyberspace and fake online job offers under the pretext of overseas employment.

Maksudi expressed satisfaction with Winrock International’s partnership with the Home Ministry in combating human trafficking in Bangladesh since 2008.

She reaffirmed the organisation’s full support for implementing the Prevention and Suppression of Human Trafficking and Migrant Smuggling Act, 2026, and the upcoming National Plan of Action for 2026-2030.

Senior Home Secretary Manzur Morshed Chowdhury, Additional Secretary (Political and Immigration) Dr Ziauddin Ahmed, Joint Secretary of the Political-1 Wing Rebecca Khan, and Winrock International Bangladesh Project Directors Dipta Rakshit and Nasiruddin Mahmud Chowdhury, among others, attended the meeting.