Bangladesh launches bench book to strengthen judicial response to human trafficking
The Bench Book was developed under the guidance of an Advisory Expert Committee formed by the Law and Justice Division and in consultation with justice sector institutions
Bangladesh today (20 November) launched a new Bench Book designed to strengthen judicial handling of human trafficking cases, marking a significant step toward more consistent, fair and victim-centred adjudication.
The guide will support judges of the Anti-Human Trafficking Offence Tribunals in applying national laws and international standards in trafficking prosecutions.
The initiative was led by 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), with financial support from the European Union (EU) and the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA).
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The Bench Book was developed under the guidance of an Advisory Expert Committee formed by the Law and Justice Division and in consultation with justice sector institutions.
The launch event in Dhaka brought together senior representatives from the judiciary, law enforcement, the Ministry of Home Affairs, development partners, and international organisations.
At the event, Michal Krejza, Head of Cooperation at the EU Delegation to Bangladesh, said the EU was proud to support an initiative that reinforces Bangladesh's judicial response to trafficking and strengthens victim protection. Catherine Northing, Officer-in-Charge of IOM Bangladesh, and Jee Aei Lee, Deputy Project Coordinator of UNODC's Human Trafficking and Migrant Smuggling Section, also spoke at the ceremony.
