IN this present era human trafficking, a worst form of human degradation extends its malevolent drives more than ever to confine the human souls and their physical movement. In fact, in response to that devastating effect, a little number of efforts has been taken to counter the clandestine moves of human trafficking. Since Bangladesh has consistently remained the favorite pocket of labor and sex trafficking, in order to tackling the crime a spectacular Law namely “The Prevention and Suppression of Human Trafficking Act 2012” was promulgated which offers a holistic package by including male trafficked victims in the realm of human trafficking law and defining the terrible conditions like forced labor, debt bondage and servitude they could be trapped in.
However, this significant law not only frees thousands of male victims from the disgrace of the title of illegal immigrants but also has given them access to seek relief under the premises of the law.
As we know action speaks louder than words, it is imperative to look into how the implementation of this law helping the people at grassroots level. Under a project named “Protecting Victims of Human Trafficking in Bangladesh” run by Relief International (RI) in collaboration with U.S. Department of State Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons, put some momentous effort translating the empathy captured in the legislation into the reality. This project is started with identifying massive amount of male victims which is almost 500 in number. It is also launching widespread campaign in the vital area of human trafficking. The following milestones of RI have been conducted by their 20 partner organisations around the country.
Anti Trafficking awareness campaign blends with breathtaking Football Match in Jessore: RI's partner Rural Reconstruction Foundation (RRF) located in Jessore organised a football match in Sreepur Upazila of Magura district where Srikol S. S Uttaran Shangha and Joka Jubo Shangha participated. This thrilling program gathered about 5,000 people in the gallery. Interestingly, this foot ball match was designed to disseminate the anti trafficking spirits among the mass. Through cheering their favorites the wonderful crowd were embracing the anti trafficking spirits and illuminating themselves about the unique provisions of newly enacted anti trafficking law. For instances, Mrs. Pinku Rita Biswash, Deputy Executive Director, RRF delivered speech on inclusion of male trafficked person as a victim in the recent legislation. Besides, she made people aware about the prescribed stern punishments for traffickers in the law. The viewers expressed their solidarity to combating human trafficking as well.
Community Radio as a primary vehicle to raise awareness: Community Radio always leaves a deep impact on peoples mind as it carries the local flavor during their transmission. After going through the empirical research RI finds Sathkhira as one of the most potential hotspots of human trafficking as its geographic location prompts a massive number of folks to cross the border and get stuck in the cave of human trafficking. In order to capture the public attention and highlight the salient features of the law, in collaboration with Radio Nalta, a widely popular radio station, operates in Nalta of Kaliganj Upazilla, Sathkhira District and has a listenership of 400,000 people of the community, RI has broadcasted 10000 PSA continuously for 6 months from September to February. The dramatic presentation of the announcements spread positive wave in the society and triggers the inquisitive minds of the youths to learn more about this issue. Generally, these announcements provided insight to the people to know how the traffickers dig the grave for distressed people and exploits the youth in the name of safe migration.
Response to the traffickers in Cox's Bazaar: Alarming number of the victims of human trafficking has been caught in the diverse points of Cox's Bazaar and those continuous horrendous incidents turn this zone into a death valley of human trafficking. On the other hand traffickers consider those points as the safe haven for their illicit activities. In response to that phenomenon the efforts of RI's partner Help Cox's Bazaar are remarkable as they arrange flurry of awareness activities like courtyard meetings , human chain mainly with the purpose to warn the potential traffickers by enlightening them on rigorous punishments prescribed in the Law. Apart from this, RI in association with a leading Radio station broadcasted a considerable number of Public Service announcements drawing the attention of public. Thus the way RI has already reached out 1.8 million people in Cox's Bazaar.
Relief International as a pioneer is committed to support 1000 male victims across the country where the support scheme is designed to respond to the remorse of the victims tailored to their needs. In addition to that RI is leading a widespread anti trafficking campaign and endorsing the recent law widely as a shield to combat trafficking just to beat the stereotype mindset of people.
Sushmita Choudhury
The Writer is a Human Rights Program Specialist, Relief International.
http://www.thedailystar.net/law-our-rights/endorsing-anti-trafficking-law-74641 
