FROM JATIYA SANGSAD:  Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said all law-enforcing agencies have been instructed to take 'zero tolerance' policy against human trafficking.

She said that as recently human trafficking has increased at an alarming level, her government has taken the zero tolerance policy to prevent the illegal activities.

The premier made the comment at the Parliament on Wednesday in reply to a star-marked question of ruling party MP Sharif Ahmed.

Sheikh Hasina said district, upazila and union level counter trafficking committees have been formed to prevent human trafficking.

Mentioning the human trafficking prevention and suppression law enacted on February 20, 2012, she said, death penalty as maximum punishment and life imprisonment have been put in human trafficking laws and regulations.

She further said that trafficking is a global problem, and human traffickers are interlinked with international gangs.

According to her, the National Plan 2012-14 has been implemented aiming to make the law enforcers more advanced with latest training.

The National Plan 2015-17 for prevention of human trafficking has been drafted which will be published soon, the premier informed the Parliament.

Besides, human trafficking prevention committee is regularly sitting every month at the home ministry.

The committee reviews the progress of the trial of trafficking, especially women and children.

The prime minister said the Coast Guard has also a wide range of activities in the current period as human trafficking from Bangladesh by sea has increased alarmingly.

She further went on saying Coast Guard patrol has been increased. A Coast Guard patrol craft and a modern high speed Metal Shark Boat have regularly been conducting patrols in the areas of Chittagong and Gohira.

She said a high-speed patrol Metal Shark boat has been deployed each in Kutubdia and Sangu Stations to increase patrol. Two modern high speed Metal Shark boats are also patrolling in Shahpari, Teknaf and Saint Martin’s coastal areas.

Moreover, Bangladesh Coast Guard detained 1,736 Bangladeshis, who tried to go abroad through the sea illegally, she said.

Following the government directives, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) rescued 1,500 citizens from January 2014 to May, 2015.  Of them, 1,094 were women and 406 were children.

Moreover, a total of 852 women and 317 children were rescued in 2014.

In 2015, a total of 242 women and 406 children were rescued while 27 human traffickers were detained at this time and so far 448 cases have been filed against traffickers, the PM added.

BDST: 1322 HRS, JUN 24, 2015
RS/RR