Dhaka Call to Action sets five priorities against digital trafficking

Government agencies, telecommunications operators, digital platforms, financial institutions and civil society organisations adopted a five-point framework for coordinated action against human trafficking through digital channels.

At a national event marking World Day Against Trafficking in Persons 2026 at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre in Dhaka on Tuesday, 28 July, the "Dhaka Call to Action on Combating Digital Trafficking" was adopted, according to a press release.

Ashshash, a programme implemented by Winrock International with support from the Embassy of Switzerland in Bangladesh, organised the event under this year's global theme, "Trapped Behind the Scam".

The framework prioritises stronger digital surveillance and coordinated responses involving law enforcement agencies, telecommunications operators and digital platforms.

It also calls for improved financial tracking to identify transactions linked to scams, targeted digital awareness campaigns for young people seeking overseas or online employment, institutionalised survivor participation in policymaking and programme design, and stronger cross-border cooperation against transnational trafficking networks and scam compounds.

The event highlighted the changing nature of human trafficking in Bangladesh as the country's economy becomes increasingly digital.

Traffickers are moving away from physical intermediaries and increasingly using social media grooming, fraudulent online job advertisements, deepfakes and recruitment through messaging applications to target young people, the release said. In many cases, exploitation begins before victims leave their homes.

Monzur Morshed Chowdhury, Senior Secretary of the Ministry of Home Affairs, attended the event as chief guest.

"Trafficking has moved to the digital space, and so must our response," he said.

"The Government of Bangladesh has already strengthened its legal framework to reach these networks, and with the Dhaka Call to Action, we are ensuring that law is matched by coordinated action across every sector."

Diepak Elmer, Chargé d'Affaires ad interim of the Embassy of Switzerland in Bangladesh, attended as guest of honour and reaffirmed Switzerland's partnership with Bangladesh on trafficking prevention and survivor protection.

"Switzerland's partnership with Bangladesh reaches far beyond any single programme," he said.

"Through Ashshash, we have seen what that partnership makes possible: communities alerted before traffickers reach them, and survivors supported not merely to return home, but to rebuild lives of dignity and independence."

The special guests included Dr Ziauddin Ahmed, Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Home Affairs; Ali Akbar Khan, Additional Inspector General of Police (Acting) and Chief of the Criminal Investigation Department; Rebeka Khan, Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Home Affairs; Monjurul Hossain, Director General of the Directorate of Bangladesh Legal Aid; Giuseppe Di Giovanni, Vice Questore Aggiunto of the Italian State Police and Migration Attaché; Saiful Haque, Chairperson and Co-Founder of WARBE Development Foundation; and Taimur Rahman, Chief Corporate and Regulatory Affairs Officer of Banglalink.

Dipta Rakshit, Country Representative for Bangladesh and Project Director of Ashshash at Winrock International, delivered the welcome and closing remarks.

A panel discussion titled "Combating Human Trafficking in Cyberspace" brought together representatives from law enforcement, telecommunications, digital advertising, investigative journalism and civil society, alongside survivor leaders.

Shariful Islam Hasan, Associate Director of BRAC Migration, moderated the discussion, which examined different stages of digital trafficking and the responsibilities of organisations positioned across the exploitation chain.

The programme also featured the inauguration of a "Reintegration Gallery" that documents survivors' journeys from exploitation to economic independence.

A segment titled "Voices of Resilience" featured accounts from survivor leaders and youth activists.

PRAN-RFL Group and BRAC Microfinance were recognised for supporting survivors' reintegration. Survivor leaders, youth activists, mentors and pro bono lawyers were also honoured for their work at the grassroots level.

Closing statements were delivered by Dr Shaikh Mohammad Jobayed Hossain, Joint Secretary (Youth Wing) of the Ministry of Youth and Sports; Md Rashidul Mannaf Kabir, Joint Project Director (Joint Secretary) of Aspire to Innovate (a2i); Md Manir Hossain, Additional Director (Deputy Secretary) of the Department of Women Affairs; Daud Jibon Das, Executive Director of Caritas Bangladesh; and Rabeya Begum, Executive Director of Shariatpur Development Society.