27,000 Bangladeshi women and children have been forced into prostitution in Indian brothels. (Centre for Women and Children Studies reports, "Women Forced into Indian Brothels," June 1998)

More than 200,000 Bangladeshi women were trafficked from 1990 to 1997, with 6,000 children trafficked, abducted or reported missing during that time. (Center for Women and Children’s Study report, Zahiduzzaman Faruque, "Women, children trafficking in Bangladesh," Kyodo, 5 May 1998)

Over the last decade, 200,000 Bangladeshi girls were lured under false circumstances and sold into the sex industry in nations including Pakistan, India and the Middle East. (Tabibul Islam, "Rape of Minors Worry Parents," Inter Press Service, 8 April 1998)

A non-government source reports that about 200,000 women and children have been trafficked to the Middle East in the last 20 years. Different human rights activists and agencies estimate 200-400 young women and children are smuggled out every month, most of them from Bangladesh to Pakistan. A women lawyers' association estimates that on an average, 4500 women and children from Bangladesh are being trafficked to Pakistan each year and at least 200,000 women have been trafficked to Pakistan over the last 10 years. The Indian Social Welfare Board estimates that there are 500,000 foreign prostitutes in India - 1 percent are from Bangladesh and 2.7% of prostitutes in Calcutta are from Bangladesh. (Bangladesh CEDAW Report, 1 April 1997)

More than 15,000 women and children are trafficked out of Bangladesh every year. (Police estimates, http://www.webpage.com/hindu/daily/980220/03/03200004.htm 19 February 1998)

Every day, over 50 women and children are trafficked out of Bangladesh through the land border areas. (Trafficking in Women and Children: The Cases of Bangladesh, UBINIG, p.8, 1995)

500 Bangladeshi women are illegally transported into Pakistan every day. (Press Statement, Bangladesh National Women Lawyers Association, "Open sale of little girls at Tanbaza brothel," Daily Star, 2 July 1998)

About 200 Bangladeshi women and children are smuggled out of the country each day, most end up as prostitutes. Many of the women and children are extremely poor, and lured with false promises. ("Human Smuggling from Banglsdesh at alarming level," Reuters, 26 may 1997)

In Bangladesh, the collection points for trafficked women are usually far from the border points. Women rescued in Dinajpur (in the North) were from Cox’s Bazar (in the South). Girls from the southern part of Bangladesh are usually trafficked across the northern borders. (Trafficking in Women and Children: The Cases of Bangladesh, p.19, UBINIG, 1995)

During the past ten years an organized gang sold more than 10,000 women from Chapainababong to traffickers. A young girl was sold by her mother to a trafficker for 10,000 takas. Families are targeted who have daughters eligible for marriage and are very poor. There is a demand for Bangladeshi girls. (Daily Sangbad report, 16 August 1993, Trafficking in Women and Children: The Cases of Bangladesh, pp.34, 35 & 36, Daily Sangbad, 16 August 1993, UBINIG, 1995)

In Kushtia area, some villages are used as stations for the traffickers. Rajshahi borders of Bidirpur and Premtali are used because there are fewer check points. Jessore border is very popular with traffickers. Some hotels and godwons are used to keep the girls brought from different parts of the country. At least 13 women are being trafficked every day. In eight months police could rescue only 28 women who were being trafficked, and arrest 38 traffickers. Usually the traffickers are not accompanying the women while crossing the border. Therefore, it is difficult for the border police to arrest them. There are female members in the trafficking gang, which helps to hide their identity." (Ittefak, 15 October 1990, police sources, Trafficking in Women and Children: The Cases of Bangladesh, pp.19 & 20, UBINIG, 1995)

30,000 Bangladeshi women are in brothels in Calcutta, India. ("Human Smuggling from Banglsdesh at alarming level," Reuters, 26 may 1997)

In 1994, 2,000 Bangladeshi women were prostituted in 6 cities in India. (CATW - Asia Pacific, Trafficking in Women and Prostitution in the Asia Pacific)

There are 200 trafficked Bangladeshi women and children in detention centers in India awaiting repatriation. (http://www.webpage.com/hindu/daily/980220/03/03200004.htm, 19 February 1998)

Between January 1990 and September 1997, there were 2,545 cases of trafficked children reported in the media in Bangladesh - 1,262 boys and 1,283 girls. During the same time period, 2,212 trafficked children were rescued. (President of the Centre for Women and Children Studies, Ishrat Shamin, "Trafficking in Women and Children: A Human Rights Crisis)

Between January 1990 and September 1997, there were 845 cases of kidnapped children reported in the media in Bangladesh. 512 or 84% were rescued. (President of the Centre for Women and Children Studies, Ishrat Shamin, "Trafficking in Women and Children: A Human Rights Crisis)

74 people, including 14 children, were rescued from Satkhira, en route to the border to India. The traffickers had taken 2000 to 5000 takas from each person. (Dainik Bangla report, 8 October1993, Trafficking in Women and Children: The Cases of Bangladesh, p.33, Dainik Bangla, 8 October 1993, UBINIG, 1995)

The price for girls is between Tk. 10,000 to Tk. 30,000 for beautiful and healthy girls. Children are bought for Tk. 7,000 to Tk. 8,000. (Trafficking in Women and Children: The Cases of Bangladesh, pp. 20 &21, UBINIG, 1995)

2.7% of prostitutes in India are Bangladeshi, the largest population of foreigners. The majority of these females are under 18. (Social Welfare Board of India, Fawzia Karim Firoze & Salma Ali of the Bangladesh National Women Layer Association," Bangladesh Country Paper: Law and Legislation")

Between January 1990 and September 1997, there were 2,662 cases of missing children reported in the media in Bangladesh. Only 228 missing children, or 9 percent, were rescued. (President of the Centre for Women and Children Studies, Ishrat Shamin, "Trafficking in Women and Children: A Human Rights Crisis)

Children from middle class families risk kidnapping from schools and being trafficking to Middle Eastern countries. (Trafficking in Women and Children: The Cases of Bangladesh, p.9, UBINIG, 1995)

There are two basic methods that traffickers obtain women and children: One is to kidnap them. The second, is to lure the women with false promises of jobs and marriage options. Traffickers pose as prospective grooms, then take the girls out of the border as their wives. (Trafficking in Women and Children: The Cases of Bangladesh, pp.16 &17, UBINIG, 1995)

Girls are sold to traffickers by their parents who consider them to be a burden after a certain age. (Trafficking in Women and Children: The Cases of Bangladesh, p.17, UBINIG, 1995)

Women, who believe that traffickers will assist them to find legitimate jobs, pay traffickers from Tk. 2000 to Tk. 6000. (Trafficking in Women and Children: The Cases of Bangladesh, p.18, UBINIG, 1995)

Women and children from India are sent to nations of the Middle East daily. Girl children in prostitution and domestic service in India, Pakistan and the Middle East are tortured, held in virtual imprisonment, sexually abused, and raped. (Indrani Sinha, SANLAAP India, "Paper on Globalization and Human Rights")

Traffickers use 20 main points in 16 western districts of Bangladesh near the Indian border. The main trafficking route is Dhaka-Mumbai-Karachi-Dubai. Many of the victims end up in Middle East nations. (Zahiduzzaman Faruque "Women, children trafficking in Bangladesh" Kyodo, 5 May 1998)

In India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Nepal, child marriage is accepted, and considered the best method to procure girls for prostitution. (Indrani Sinha, SANLAAP India, "Paper on Globalization and Human Rights")

Forms of trafficking include fake marriages, sale by parents to "uncles" offering jobs, auctions to brothel owners or farmers, abduction. Traffickers and procurers pose as prospective husbands to impoverished families. They take the girls away and sell them into prostitution. A large number of "brides" have been collected in this manner and brought as a group to Pakistan where they are handed over to local traffickers. (CATW - Asia Pacific "Trafficking in Women and Prostitution in the Asia Pacific" (24)

Bangladeshi women have been auctioned off to farmers looking for a combination wife and farmhand in Pakistan, India and Japan (CATW - Asia Pacific, Trafficking in Women and Prostitution in the Asia Pacific)

In May 1998, 217 Bangladeshi women and children who had been trafficked into India were repatriated. (Zahiduzzaman Faruque,"Women, children trafficking in Bangladesh," Kyodo, 5 May 1998)

In 1992, 74 Bangladeshi women and children on their way to be sold in Pakistan were found bound and gagged in the cargo hold of a boat. (CATW - Asia Pacific, Trafficking in Women and Prostitution in the Asia Pacific)

One trafficker was arrested and 46 people (12 male, 9 female and 25 children) from Jessore were rescued by police as they were being trafficked by bus across the border into India. All were held in police custody. (Ittefak report, 16 June 1993, Trafficking in Women and Children: The Cases of Bangladesh, pp.31 & 32, Ittefak, 16 June 1993, UBINIG, 1995)

49 men, women and children from Cox’s Bazar were rescued and 2 traffickers were arrested by Savar Police. The people were sent to safe custody and the traffickers were placed under police remand for three days. Each person had paid the traffickers 3-4 thousand taka to assist them across the border via Godagari, Rajshahi, Benalope and Jessore. Middle aged men and women would be taken to hospitals in Bombay and Madras, and their blood, kidneys, eyes, skin and hair would be sold to hospitals. The young girls would be sold to the brothels in Pakistan and India. Young men would be sold as bonded laborers. The traffickers prefer young girls and children. For each young girl (the traffickers) are paid 10-12 thousand taka and for each child they are paid 7-8 thousand taka. (Ittefak report, 28 October 1993, Trafficking in Women and Children: The Cases of Bangladesh, pp.32 & 33, Ittefak, 28 October 1993, UBINIG, 1995)

The Bangladesh constitution provides that the "State Shall endeavor to prevent gambling and prostitution. "Reading the various provisions of different laws, the prostitute is considered a victim, however, despite rigid provisions, the Penal Code provides in the following sections protection to women who are victims of the sexual offences of illicit intercourse, such as:

Section 364A - Whoever, kidnaps or abducts any person under the age of ten, in order that such a person may be or subjected to slavery or to the lust of any person shall be punished with death or with imprisonment for life or for rigorous imprisonment for a term which may extend to 14 years and may not be less than 7 years.

Section 366A - Whoever, by any means whatsoever, induces any minor girl under the age of eighteen years to go from any place or to do any act with the intent that such a girl may be or knowing that it is likely that she will be, forded or seduced to illicit intercourse with another person shall be punishable with imprisonment which may extend to 10 years and shall also be liable to fine.

Section 373 - Whoever buys, hires or otherwise obtains possession of any person under the ate of eighteen years with the intent that such person shall at any age be employed or used for the purpose of prostitution or illicit intercourse with any person or knowing it likely that such person will at any age be employed or used for such purpose with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend 10 years and fine. Any prostitute or any person keeping or managing a brothel, who buys, hires or otherwise obtains possession of a female under the age of 18 years, shall until the contrary is proved, be presumed to have obtained possession of such female with the intent that she shall be used for the purpose of prostitution.

("The Laws Are Contradictory," Sigma Huda, founder of the Bangladesh National Women’s Lawters Association, Convenor, CATW, 1997)

The Bangladeshi cabinet has approved the death penalty for crimes against women including trafficking, rape and murder. They raised the penalty from 10 years in prison following an increase in trafficking in which the victims included girls as young as six. ("Bangladesh proposes death for crime against women," Reuters, 31 March 1998)

Convicted traffickers can receive the death penalty. Only one person has received this sentence. (CATW - Asia Pacific, Trafficking in Women and Prostitution in the Asia Pacific)

The Penal Code of 1860 contains provisions for kidnapping, which in general covers trafficking also. Inspite of there being provisions in the Penal Code, these were not being effective in stopping trafficking because of various implementation problems. In 1983 a new Ordinance, the Cruelty to Women (Deterrent Punishment) Ordinance was promulgated. It replaced the relevant sections of the Penal Code. This law increased the punishment to life imprisonment and death penalty for kidnapping or abducting women, trafficking of women and children, attempt to cause death, acid throwing, rape etc. (Bangladesh CEDAW Report, 1 April 1997)

The Cruelty to Women Ordinance, passed in 1983, calls for sentences of 14 years to life imprisonment for kidnapping or abduction of women, but this is rarely carried out, as there are many loopholes. (Trafficking in Women and Children: The Cases of Bangladesh, p.21, UBINIG, 1995)

In 1995 another law, the Woman and Child Repression (Special Provisions) Act 1995 was enacted. It provides for capital punishment to offenders. It debars the granting of bail to persons accused of heinous offenses against women and children. The penalty imposed in section 8 of this act for trafficking and associated offenses is life imprisonment and fine. Section 9 stipulates a penalty of 10 years with a minimum of 7 years imprisonment for abduction to commit immoral act on women and children. This Act provides for the setting up of separate courts to try cases coming under it, one in each district. So far ten such courts have been established. It is proposed to review their performance and effectiveness before setting up the courts in other districts. (Bangladesh CEDAW Report, 1 April 1997)

The process of repatriation for victims of traffic, who are often held in jail where they are continuously abused and re-victimized, is lengthy due to a general lack of action and interest of Bangladeshi embassies, and the bureaucracy between the Ministries of Women and Child Affairs, Home Affairs, Foreign Affairs, and Social Welfare. (Fawzia Karim Firoze & Salma Ali of the Bangladesh National Women Layer Association," Bangladesh Country Paper: Law and Legislation")

Hundreds, and maybe thousands, of Bangladeshi women and children are held in foreign prisons, jails, shelters and detention centers awaiting repatriation. Many have been held for years. In India, 26 women, 27 girls, 71 boys and 13 children of unknown gender are held in Lilua Shelter, Calcutta; Sheha Shelter, Calcutta; Anando Ashram, Calcutta; Alipur Children's Home, Delhi; Nirmal Chaya Children's Home, Delhi; Prayas Observation House for Boys; Delhi; Tihar Jail, Delhi; Udavam Kalanger, Bangalore; Umar Khadi, Bangaore; Kishalay, West Bengal; Kuehbihar, West Bengal and Baharampur, West Bengal. (Fawzia Karim Firoze & Salma Ali of the Bangladesh National Women Layer Association," Bangladesh Country Paper: Law and Legislation")

Barisal Police arrested two traffickers and rescued 100 men, women and children who were to be sent to India illegally. The victims were kept in Sagorika Hotel after being lured by the promise of jobs in India. They came from Sandip, Hatia, and different islands of Noakhali, and were transported by ship from Chittagong. The traffickers received 600-1000 Taka from each person as transportation cost. (Ittefak and Jonokontho reports 15 December 1993, Trafficking in Women and Children: The Cases of Bangladesh, p.24, Ittefak and Jonokontho, 15 December 1993, UBINIG, 1995)

In 1992, Bombay, India, police intercepted the traffic of 25 children, 5 to 8 years old. The children and trafficker were held in the same jail. Three years later, 12 of the children were returned to their homes. (Fawzia Karim Firoze & Salma Ali of the Bangladesh National Women Layer Association," Bangladesh Country Paper: Law and Legislation")

The Government is aware of the problem of trafficking and has taken up measures to prevent it. One such measure is the strengthening of border posts. However, the sheer length of Bangladesh's border with India and Burma makes it impossible to prevent people crossing the borders. Another measure is the strengthening of legislation and increasing punishments for trafficking. (Bangladesh CEDAW Report, 1 April 1997)

At a recently held workshop on child trafficking organized by the Bangladesh Shishu Adhikar Forum in December, 1996 a South-East Asian and a National Action Plan were prepared for NGOs active in the area of trafficking. It was decided to undertake networking and training on databases/information and experience sharing by a Core Group with representatives from Nepal, Pakistan, India and Bangladesh. The first meeting of the regional Core Group will take place in March 1997 and training is to be arranged between August and December 1997. The Bangladesh National Plan focuses on legal protection through implementation of existing laws; awareness raising on trafficking; awareness raising and training on laws related to trafficking. It is proposed that law-enforcing agencies in collaboration with NGOs mobilize the community through local government bodies, educational institutions, religious institutions and at the national level through the media. (Bangladesh CEDAW Report, 1 April 1997)

In Bangladesh, there is only one shelter with the means to help victims of trafficking. The women and children have awaited repatriation there for as long as 4 1/2 years. (Fawzia Karim Firoze & Salma Ali of the Bangladesh National Women Layer Association," Bangladesh Country Paper: Law and Legislation")

1. Appropriated Targeted Research: USAID's partners are performing a literature review to determine appropriate reference materials on anti-trafficking. A mapping exercise is in progress to identify at-risk areas and define routes used by the traffickers. A compilation of "best practices" used by anti-trafficking activists is being assembled to be distributed throughout Bangladesh. Other efforts include: the creation of a victim database, a survey to assess the level of knowledge on trafficking at the community level, and a nationwide anti-trafficking awareness campaign.
   
    

2. Strengthening Bangladesh's Anti-trafficking Network: USAID supports the "Action Against Trafficking and Sexual Exploitation of Children (ATSEC)", a national anti-trafficking network whose goal is to link NGOs and Government entities into a strong partnership and establish a focal point for moving the national anti-trafficking agenda forward. Their efforts include the establishment of a resource center to disseminate data on the subject and provide technical support to local grassroot organizations who want to stop trafficking.
   
    

3. Supporting NGO Capacity Building: USAID is providing technical assistance to many NGOs who are working on the trafficking issue. These efforts will create effective organizations with strong skills in program implementation and monitoring. The USAID program will have a great effect on decreasing trafficking and ensuring that proper care is provided for the victims. Specifically, USAID provides on-site coaching by international experts in the field, creates workshops and training seminars to improve the skills of those working to prevent trafficking, monitors field activities to share lessons learned, and identifies "best practices" to be shared with all.
   
    

4. Prosecution and Protection (Rehabilitation): Our local partner, the Bangladesh National Women's Lawyer's Association (BNWLA), is one of the most prominent NGOs working to eradicate trafficking of women and children. The organization provides both victim protection and prosecution-related support. BNWLA assists victims with legal aid, rehabilitation, and repatriation support services. In addition, BNWLA provides assistance to the government of Bangladesh to prosecute traffickers.
   
    

5. Targeted Trafficking Prevention Efforts: As part of our work to prevent trafficking in Bangladesh, USAID supports ATSEC to develop prevention and awareness messages to be delivered to communities throughout Bangladesh. The program will implement a national media campaign addressing the seriousness of trafficking. This group will also conduct awareness raising workshops and meetings, develop programs to reach school children, establish methods to deliver its messages to remote areas, and launch a strong campaign at the borders where trafficking victims are transported into neighboring countries.

Success Stories

Since July 1, 2000, the efforts have realized the following successes:
90 trafficking cases investigated and filed in the court system.

111 traffickers arrested.

356 incidents related to trafficking detailed.

A total of 44 external trafficking victims repatriated from different countries.

A total of 30 internal trafficking victims released.

63 people received counseling support to assist in their rehabilitation.

A community-level trafficking awareness survey started.

A comprehensive "victim" database created. This database tracks information on all trafficking or attempted trafficking cases that are known to ATSEC and BNWLA.

An inventory of non-government organizations (NGOs) working on trafficking activities prepared. A total of 130 organizations were included.

ATSEC/Bangladesh established an office to serve as a clearing house and resource center to collect, track and disseminate information on trafficking.

Ten focal sites set up in different districts for the regular collection of "legal" information on trafficking cases.

A database developed to track all legal support being provided by BNWLA.

A comprehensive literature review for the trafficking sector has been published.

Source: USAID Bangladesh, Anti Trafficking

Although laws against trafficking exist, their implementation remains weak. Although the new laws have increased penalties their application has certain technical problems which are in the process of being identified. There is scope for misapplication and harassment of innocent persons. The law enforcing authorities and the judiciary need to be better sensitized about the issues involved. There is a need for stronger action against members of law enforcing authorities who are themselves involved in trafficking. Regional cooperation is essential to coordinate legal and administrative measures and procedures. Information needs to be shared and extradition of offenders allowed. Victims are sometimes charged with prostitution or immoral behaviour and put in jail. The repatriation of Bangladeshi women trafficked abroad needs to be facilitated. (Bangladesh CEDAW Report, 1 April 1997)

More than 9,000 girls are trafficked each year from Nepal and Bangladesh into bondage in India and Pakistan, often with the acquiescence or cooperation of state officials. (http://www.amnesty.org.uk/news/press/releases/22_april_1998-0.shtml, 22 April 1998)

In Bangladesh, government and health officials deny services to prostituted women and their children on the sole basis that the woman is in prostitution. ("Govts urged to be more active against trafficking of women, children," Dhaka Daily Star, 30 June 1998)