Bernicat says US will continue to support Bangladesh to combat human trafficking

Preventing human trafficking is an “especially complex challenge”, the US ambassador in Dhaka says, reiterating her country’s continued support to Bangladesh in combating the menace.

It cannot be stopped by a single country like other forms of transnational crime, ​​Marcia Bernicat has said at the inauguration of a ‘national action plan to combat human trafficking’ in Dhaka on Tuesday.
 
“Source countries, transit countries, and destination countries must work together,” she asserted before noting that human trafficking affected “more people than you can imagine”.
 
State Minister for Home Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal and senior government officials were present at the function.
 
She referred to the boat people found in the Indian Ocean in recent months, and said taking appropriate actions “at this very moment is extremely important”.
 
“We all are outraged by the crimes being committed upon thousands of Rohingyas and Bangladeshis who have been stranded in overcrowded boats.
 
“The anguish and helplessness of these people and their families has touched every one of us.
 
“Their stories put a human face on this crime and give us a clear message -- we need to be more coordinated, stringent, and strategic with our actions to combat human trafficking,” Ambassador Bernicat said.
 
This is also a “personal” issue for her as she said her grandmother was “a victim of human trafficking”.
 
The top American diplomat in Dhaka thanked Bangladesh government for the national action plan to combat human trafficking.
 
She said it was a “major step in the right direction”.
 
Bernicat also thanked the government for its strong collaboration with the US, and said they would continue their support to prevent this heinous crime.
 
Under the new national plan that entered its third phase, the US would work together to provide training in the judicial sector and to relevant government agencies so that all perpetrators of human trafficking crime can be brought to justice.
 
It will also assist in creating better public awareness and garner support from all citizens to help prevent trafficking in their communities.
 
The US will continue to assist Bangladesh in providing survivors with the rehabilitation and support they need in order to fully reclaim their lives and reintegrate into their communities.
 
“Fighting trafficking cannot be seen as solely the province of the government; all sectors in society must be part of the effort,” the ambassador said.