Editorial
Zero tolerance on human trafficking
Bringing an end to this disgraceful practice must be high on govt agenda
The report that 50 Bangladeshi women are trafficked to India every day, to say nothing of those who are trafficked even further afield, should send a chill down the spine of any sentient human being, and there is no question the serious measures against trafficking should be at the top of any Bangladeshi government's agenda.
The issue is simply one of human dignity. We owe it to the women (as well as the minor boys and girls) who are so trafficked and who end up in brothels or other dark corners of the sex trade. That so many thousands of our fellow countrywomen (and men) are reduced to such misery and degradation us all to shame.
The new "Trafficking in Human Beings (THB) Investigation Unit" set up by the government to address the issue is thus welcomed and applauded. We hope that it will be given every resource and assistance that it requires, so that the traffickers understand that there will be a steep price to pay for their heinous crimes.
We need to have a zero tolerance policy on trafficking. That means aggressive policing and investigation, and swift and severe punishment for the offenders. As long as they feel that they can escape detection or penalty, the traffickers will continue in their despicable trade.
Indeed, the severest of penalties, including capital punishment for the kingpins who have built up huge empires based on the misery of thousands would be in order.
Similarly, village and district level education programmes to ensure that every single Bangladeshi becomes a foot-soldier on the war against trafficking need to be introduced. Finally, we have to create a more prosperous economy and more pro-woman social environment so that young women cannot be lured away under the false pretences of a job opportunity.
Trafficking is merely the worst example of how Bangladeshis overseas are mistreated and how no government has ever done anything to safeguard the simple human dignity of Bangladeshis outside the country. It is high time that we brought these Bangladeshis and their protection to the top of the agenda, and cracking down like a thunderbolt on trafficking is a good place to start.
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