Combating Trafficking in Persons and Migrant Smuggling in Bangladesh: Conceptual Understanding and Lessons from International Community Based Approach

Abstract

The trafficking in persons and migrant smuggling is one of the extreme and offensive threats to the humanity. This global and trembling issue has recently gained much more attention in South Asia, particularly in Bangladesh and Myanmar. This problem has been considered as one of the most shocking domestic threat in Bangladesh despite having so called 'measures' like legal framework, government and nongovernment initiatives to address the problem of trafficking and migrant smuggling from Bangladesh. In terms of labour migration, the problem is still undetected and gradually taking more serious form. This paper mainly provides a basic understanding of the key terms associated with trafficking and analyzes international level best practices that addresses the issues of trafficking and migrant smuggling focusing the community based model. The outcome of this paper can be introduced in Bangladesh and other developing countries with a view to protect the migrants, particularly to save the potential migrant workers from the victimization of forced labour, slavery or exploitation. The relevant stakeholders will also find strategic guidelines to design their future activities. This paper has been developed following qualitative research approach using the secondary research methodology.

Keywords: Trafficking, Migrant Smuggling, Combating the Trafficking and Migrant Smuggling, Anti-Trafficking Model and Initiatives