Child Trafficking
Dhaka off US blacklist
Staff Correspondent
Bangladesh has finally been withdrawn from the US blacklist published last June that details those countries failing to adequately fight international sex trafficking, the outgoing Home Secretary Muhammad Omar Farooq said yesterday.The list comprising 10 nations could lead to cutoffs in non-humanitarian and non-trade-related US aid, the US Department of State said while releasing the list. Bangladesh has made significant progress in combating trafficking in persons (TIP) in recent times, creating a positive example in this regard, Omar Farooq said at a press conference held at the conference room of the Ministry of Home Affairs. During two recent hearings at the US Congress, USAID Administrator Andrew Natsios also cited Bangladesh as an example where the US support in fighting TIP produced positive results, Farooq informed. Screening and monitoring at the air and land ports, monitoring of selected cases, maintaining regular flow of correct information, rehabilitation and follow-up activities, awareness campaign and awarding the forces for contributing to the anti-trafficking activities played a significant role in this success, he said. Of the 86 cases selected for special monitoring since June 15, 2004, 72 have already been disposed. And, of these 72 cases, 48 ended in conviction while 24 were acquitted, Omar Farooq said. Of the convicted, three were given the death sentence, 60 were awarded life imprisonment and 22 were given other punishments. Of the three cases related to camel jockeys, eight were given life imprisonment, he added. "The remaining 14 cases are likely to be disposed within April of this year," Farooq noted. The total number of pending cases was 481 till March 15, whereas the number was 571 on June 30 last year, which shows a clear decline in the number of pending cases. The three-stage screening process at the international airports and land ports from June 15, 2004 to March 15, 2005 contributed to the prevention of 777 persons including 38 women and children from going abroad while lacking valid documents. The anti-trafficking measures also rescued 206 trafficked persons including 100 women and 98 children. Legal action against 12 government officials for complicity in trafficking in persons is now underway, Farooq said.
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