Photo : Collected

DHAKA, Nov 20, 2025 (BSS) - In a significant milestone toward enhancing Bangladesh’s judicial response to human trafficking and promoting a victim-centred approach to justice, the Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs, in collaboration with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM), today launched the Bench Book for the Judiciary on Effective Criminal Justice Responses to Human Trafficking Cases at a ceremony in Dhaka. 

This government-led initiative marks a major step forward in empowering the justice sector with practical guidance to ensure fair, consistent, and trauma-informed adjudication of trafficking in person’s cases, a joint press release said.

Developed with the financial support of the European Union (EU) and the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), the Bench Book serves as a comprehensive judicial reference tool to assist judges in adjudicating human trafficking cases effectively and consistently, while safeguarding the rights and dignity of victims.

The publication was developed under the guidance of the Advisory Expert Committee, formed under the leadership of the Law and Justice Division, Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs, and through close collaboration with relevant justice sector stakeholders.

The launch event brought together senior representatives from the judiciary, law enforcement, the Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs, the Ministry of Home Affairs, development partners, and international organisations.

Speaking as the Chief Guest, Liaquet Ali Molla, Secretary, Law and Justice Division, Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs, said: “The main objective of this Bench Book is to strengthen the capacity of judges of the Human Trafficking Crimes Tribunal established under the Prevention and Suppression of Human Trafficking Act, 2012. It provides practical guidance for conducting fair, effective and trauma-sensitive trials in line with national law and international standards.” 

The Bench Book aims to strengthen the capacity of judges presiding over the Anti-Human Trafficking Offence Tribunals established under the Prevention and Suppression of Human Trafficking Act, 2012. It provides practical guidance to ensure fair, efficient, and trauma-informed proceedings in line with national laws and international standards.

Michal Krejza, Head of Cooperation, Delegation of the European Union to Bangladesh stressed that, “The European Union is proud to support this initiative, which reinforces Bangladesh’s judicial response to human trafficking and our shared commitment to protecting victims and upholding fundamental rights. The Bench Book will help deliver fair, consistent and victim-centred judicial decisions across Bangladesh, thus strengthening the rule of law.”

KOICA is proud to support Bangladesh in strengthening justice sector responses to human trafficking and ensuring survivors receive the dignity and protection they deserve. The Bench Book launched today is a practical step toward more consistent, victim-centred judgments that hold traffickers fully accountable. 

Catherine Northing, Officer-in-Charge of IOM in Bangladesh and Jee Aei Lee, Deputy Project Coordinator of Human Trafficking and Migrant Smuggling Section of UNODC HQ also delivered their remarks at the event among other speakers.