New anti-trafficking law to curb technology-enabled crimes: Home minister

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed on Wednesday expressed confidence that the newly enacted Prevention and Suppression of Human Trafficking and Migrant Smuggling Act, 2026 will significantly strengthen Bangladesh's efforts to combat human trafficking, migrant smuggling, and technology-enabled crimes carried out by organised criminal networks.

He said the law would help curb the misuse of digital platforms and emerging technologies by trafficking and smuggling syndicates while bringing Bangladesh's legal and institutional framework in line with international standards to address the evolving tactics of transnational criminals.

The minister made the remarks as the chief guest at the National Dissemination Meeting on the Prevention and Suppression of Human Trafficking and Migrant Smuggling Act, 2026, held at the Ruposhi Bangla Grand Ballroom of Hotel InterContinental in Dhaka. The event was jointly organised by the Ministry of Home Affairs and Justice and Care Bangladesh.

The programme was chaired by Senior Home Secretary Manzur Morshed Chowdhury and attended by Foreign Secretary Asad Alam Siam, British High Commissioner Sarah Cooke, US Ambassador Brent T. Christensen, Inspector General of Police Md Ali Hossain Fakir, Bangladesh Coast Guard Director General Rear Admiral Md Ziaul Hoque, Border Guard Bangladesh Director General Major General Mohammad Ashrafuzzaman Siddiqui, and Additional Home Secretary Dr Ziauddin Ahmed, among others.

Addressing the gathering, Salahuddin reaffirmed the government's commitment to tackling human trafficking and migrant smuggling through stronger legislation, improved institutional coordination and a victim-centred criminal justice system.

"The newly enacted Prevention and Suppression of Human Trafficking and Migrant Smuggling Act, 2026 marks a major milestone in Bangladesh's fight against these serious transnational crimes," he said.

The minister stressed that effective implementation of the law would require close collaboration among government agencies, law enforcement bodies, the judiciary, development partners and civil society.

He said the new legislation clearly distinguishes human trafficking from migrant smuggling, establishes a comprehensive legal framework to prosecute migrant smuggling, strengthens investigation and prosecution mechanisms, enhances protection for victims and witnesses, and expands international cooperation in line with global standards. The law also upholds the internationally recognised principle of non-criminalisation of victims, ensuring their rights, dignity and security throughout the justice process.

The dissemination meeting aimed to build a common understanding of the new law among the agencies responsible for its implementation. Participants discussed the Act's key provisions, enforcement priorities and ways to strengthen coordination throughout the criminal justice process—from investigation to prosecution and trial.

Speakers described human trafficking and migrant smuggling as among the gravest forms of transnational organised crime, warning that they exploit vulnerable people, undermine the rule of law and threaten national and regional security. They emphasised the need for sustained national and international cooperation to prevent these crimes, dismantle criminal networks, protect victims and bring offenders to justice.

Justice and Care Bangladesh Country Director Mohammad Tariqul Islam presented the background, objectives and major provisions of the new law, followed by a high-level discussion on implementation priorities and inter-agency coordination.

The programme brought together senior representatives from the Bangladesh Police, Border Guard Bangladesh, Bangladesh Coast Guard, Criminal Investigation Department (CID), Special Branch (SB), National Security Intelligence (NSI), the judiciary, prosecution, relevant ministries and government agencies, diplomatic missions, UN bodies, international organisations, development partners, non-governmental organisations and civil society.