U.S. Department of State 2002 Trafficking in Persons Report - Bangladesh

Bangladesh (Tier 2)

Bangladesh is a country of origin for women and children trafficked for purposes of sexual exploitation, domestic servitude, and bonded labor. There is also internal trafficking of women and children from rural areas to the larger cities. The majority of trafficking victims are women and girls trafficked to India, Pakistan, Bahrain, and the Middle East. Boys are also trafficked to the United Arab Emirates and Qatar and forced to work as camel jockeys and to the United Arab Emirates to work as beggars.

The Government of Bangladesh does not yet fully comply with minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking; however, it is making significant efforts to do so. Bangladesh has laws that prohibit various forms of trafficking. The government has arrested and prosecuted some traffickers, and courts have handed down tough sentences. The government does investigate trafficking cases; however, the court system is backlogged by approximately one other million cases, severely hampering the ability to bring criminal cases to closure quickly. Police and government officials have received specialized training from international organizations and NGOs in investigating and prosecuting trafficking cases. Corruption is widespread at lower levels of government and police, customs, immigration officials and border guards receive bribes and may assist in trafficking. If caught, prosecuted and convicted, corrupt officials may receive a reprimand; but their employment is rarely terminated. The government does not adequately monitor its borders. Regarding victim protection, trafficked victims are not detained, jailed, or prosecuted for violations of immigration or prostitution laws. The government works closely with and refers victims to NGOs that provide shelter and access to legal, medical and psychological services. Government officials support prevention programs and actively participate in workshops, meetings and public awareness campaigns, but most funding comes from international donors. To encourage parents to send their children to school, the government supports "food for education" programs. To reduce drop out rates, the government provides stipends to girls attending secondary schools in rural areas. The government has initiated an anti-exploitation public information campaign for citizens going abroad to work. In January, Bangladesh signed the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) Convention on Prevention and Combating Trafficking in Women and Children for Prostitution. The government has recently adopted a national plan of action to address child sexual exploitation and trafficking in persons.