DHAKA, Dec 17, 2025 (BSS)- Speakers at a seminar stressed the need for building up future law students with fundamental knowledge and practical understanding for strengthening their capacity to fight against human trafficking.

In view of this they called for development of a victim-centered, trauma-informed and gender-responsive approach among law students so that they can contribute to access to justice and the rule of law. 

The seminar titled “Educating for Justice: Empowering Law Graduates to Fight Human Trafficking” was jointly arranged by Chittagong University and International Organization for Migration (IOM) at CU, an IOM press release said.

The seminar brought together senior academics, government officials and legal practitioners to discuss the gaps in legal education and practical challenges in implementing anti-trafficking laws.

Quiz competition for students, prize distribution, and handover of reference books from IOM to the CU Department of Law were the other features of the event.

The seminar is part of IOM’s approach to actively engage the youth and academics in its programming to combat human trafficking.

Later, a book corner was opened in the seminar hall of the law department with IT equipment donated by IOM with the support of Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA).

Professor Dr M Jafar Ullah Talukder, Dean, Faculty of Law, CU, and Pooja Bhalla, Head of Protection at IOM delivered opening remarks.

They highlighted the importance of collaboration between academic institutions and judicial sector actors in preparing future legal professionals.

In his keynote address Prof A.B.M. Abu Noman from CU’s Department of Law stressed the need for integrate human trafficking law into undergraduate curricula.

An interactive session with Md. Aminul Islam, Deputy Secretary of the Ministry of Home Affairs, was also held focusing on investigation, evidence collection and institutional coordination challenges.

Jashim Uddin Khan, Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Home Affairs as the Chief Guest underlined the ethical responsibility of future lawyers in protecting survivors’ rights. 

He pointed out that only knowledge of law, rules and regulations is not sufficient for a professional. Long-term engagement between universities and judicial sector actors are required to create academic interests and institutional capacity.