Eastern University, in association with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), successfully organized a specialized workshop on Trafficking in Persons (TIP) and Smuggling of Migrants (SOM) titled “Building a Youth Network for a Better Future” yesterday at Rezakul Haider Hall of Eastern University, a press release said.
The full-day program was an initiative under the project “Preventing and Addressing Trafficking in Human Beings and the Smuggling of Migrants,” funded by the European Union and supported by the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of Bangladesh. The workshop brought together students from various public and private universities across the country, particularly those studying law, criminology, sociology, political science, and related disciplines.
Professor Dr. Farid A. Sobhani, Honorable Vice-Chancellor of Eastern University, attended the workshop as the Chief Guest at the inaugural ceremony. The Chief Guest of the closing ceremony was Rebeka Khan, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs, Bangladesh Secretariat. The program began with opening remarks by Mohammad Mamunur Rashid, Head of the Department of Law, Eastern University. Thereafter, A.B.M. Imdadul Haque Khan, Dean, School of Law, Eastern University, delivered the welcome remarks.
The first session was conducted by Tasneem Binta Karim, National Programme Coordinator of UNODC. She highlighted an overview of the UNODC project and the human rights-based approach to trafficking in persons.
Marcus Vinicius Paes, Law Enforcement Advisor of UNODC, also facilitated the workshop. His session focused on the concept of Trafficking in Persons and Smuggling of Migrants.
Mostafizur Rahman, Additional Senior Superintendent of Police, Trafficking in Human Beings Cell-CID, with his first-hand experience, enriched the workshop with his discussion on trends and investigations of TIP and SOM in Bangladesh.
A.B.M. Imdadul Haque Khan, Dean, School of Law, from an academic perspective, conducted the final technical session on the legal framework for countering human trafficking in Bangladesh.
Participants from 17 different universities, along with participants from Eastern University, attended this day-long workshop. Participants actively engaged in group work, open discussions, and a quiz competition.
The workshop concluded with closing remarks followed by a certificate distribution ceremony, during which Rebeka Khan delivered the closing remarks, formally bringing the program to an end.
The workshop aimed to equip university students with comprehensive knowledge and practical skills to understand, identify, and respond to trafficking in persons and migrant smuggling, while fostering a strong youth network of advocates committed to prevention and awareness-raising efforts in their communities. This initiative forms part of UNODC’s broader efforts to strengthen the rule of law education and engage young people as champions against these serious transnational crimes.
