Staff Reporter:
Prime Minister’s Political Adviser Ruhul Kabir Rizvi has emphasised the importance of cultural activities and social awareness to curb human trafficking crime.
Addressing a national seminar on Thursday as the chief guest, he noted that crime is rising in society due to a decline in cultural activities. He stressed that preventing human trafficking requires ensuring the rule of law, expanding education, and building cultural awareness among people at the grassroots level.
The national seminar, titled “Role of Media and Culture in Preventing Human Trafficking”, took place at the RC Majumder Arts Auditorium of Dhaka University on the occasion of World Anti-Human Trafficking Day 2026. The Dhaka University Journalists Association and the Bangladesh Art Criticism Trust jointly organised the event.
“Cultural activities are necessary to curb heinous crimes like human trafficking. Although cultural activities on these issues have decreased in our country. Due to which awareness among people is decreasing, crime is increasing in society,” Rizvi said.
He added, “The rule of law is necessary in society to prevent human trafficking. On the other hand, education development is also necessary. The nation must be built on an average education. So that even the illiterate people at the grassroots can communicate with the local administration or authorities. So that they do not fall victim to fraud, exploitation, violence and human trafficking.”
Speaking as a special guest, State Minister for Social Welfare Farzana Sharmin highlighted that journalists can play a vital role against social problems by publishing evidence-based investigative reports. She also urged coordinated action with domestic and international organisations for the protection and rehabilitation of human trafficking victims.
Keynote speaker Prof Rezaul Karim Sohag, chairman of the Department of Criminology at Dhaka University, presented an overview of human trafficking in Bangladesh and worldwide.
He warned that forced labour, child and female exploitation, and commercial sexual exploitation of children remain alarmingly prevalent within the country. He called for effective preventive measures and urged the enforcement of the recently re-enacted “Human Trafficking and Migrant Smuggling Prevention and Suppression Act, 2026”.
Dhaka University Journalists Association President Manjur Hossain Mahi highlighted the key responsibilities of the media in providing information, building public awareness, and educating society. Citing the Associated Press investigative report “Seafood from Slaves”, he noted how investigative journalism exposed human trafficking and slave labour in Southeast Asia, leading to the rescue of over 2,000 people and bringing perpetrators to justice.
In his speech, Sanjay Kumar Dey, chairman of the Bangladesh Art Criticism Trust and Assistant Professor in the Department of Art History at Dhaka University, remarked that when a person is trafficked, society loses that individual’s knowledge, skills, and cultural contributions.
He asserted that the trust will continue organising cultural initiatives to address social issues.
Representatives from the US Embassy in Bangladesh, International Justice Mission Bangladesh, and “COTNET”-a joint 30-country initiative to combat human trafficking attended the event alongside researchers, journalists, writers, artists, and Dhaka University teachers and students.
Prof Sanjay Kumar Dey presided over the seminar, while Bangladesh Art Criticism Trust General Secretary Ratan Malo moderated the session.
At the start of the event, Dhaka University students led by Kathak Biswas Joy performed traditional folk songs from the Rajshahi and Chapainawabganj regions focusing on human trafficking awareness. SM Rakibul Hasan, a part-time teacher at the Department of Oriental Art, later presented a musical flute performance depicting the plight of trafficking victims.
The theme for this year’s World Day against Trafficking in Persons was “Trapped Behind the Scam”, focusing on global awareness surrounding cyber slavery, digital exploitation, and online scamming risks.
