BANGLADESH: INTERIM TIP REPORT

UNCLAS DHAKA 005654

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KCRM KWMN PHUM PREL SMIG BG
SUBJECT: BANGLADESH: INTERIM TIP REPORT

REF: A. STATE 201863


B. DHAKA 04965


1. Embassy Dhaka appreciates the opportunity to report
Bangladesh's continuing progress in its anti-trafficking
efforts (ref a). The information below comes largely from
the International Organization for Migration (IOM),The Asia
Foundation, the Home Ministry, and USAID.


2. Sustaining the higher level of trafficking prosecutions
and convictions seen in the second half of 2004: The BDG
disposed of 86 old cases in the last half of 2004, as well as
38 newly-filed cases. While the number of new cases
prosecuted kept pace with what was observed in 2004, the
overall convictions dropped in 2005. The conviction rate,
however, for 2005 stands at just over 50%. This lower rate
appears to be the result of corruption in the judicial
system, and of wealthy defendants hiring better lawyers and
putting on better cases than public prosecutors.


3. Expanding its investigative and prosecutorial efforts to
target public officials complicit in trafficking:
Approximately 12 officials have been charged in three
anti-trafficking cases in 2005, and prosecutions are
underway. While this is an increase over the previous year,
it does not represent anything approaching the number of
officials believed to be involved in trafficking activities.
Although 192 camel jockeys were repatriated from the UAE in
2005, no one has been charged regarding their cases.


4. Strengthening and deploying the new (2004) police
anti-TIP unit: The police have a monitoring committee in
every district of Bangladesh to oversee anti-TIP cases. The
committees are charged with keeping statistics on trafficking
cases and making sure arresting officers and witnesses appear
at trials. Along with dedicated anti-trafficking magistrate
courts and a deputy attorney general to coordinate
anti-trafficking prosecutions, the police anti-TIP units are
a key factor in maintaining the higher number of successful
cases against traffickers.


5. Implementing its plan to collaborate with NGO,s in
training its overseas diplomats on detecting and caring for
victims of trafficking: There has been one training session
provided by The Asia Foundation for Foreign Ministry junior
officers. The Asia Foundation and IOM plan to train
mid-level and senior officers in 2006.


6. The most significant anti-trafficking events of the last
six months involve the repatriation and reintegration of
rescued camel jockeys. NGO,s and the BDG have created a
small committee for each boy brought back to Bangladesh to
oversee his reintegration into Bangladeshi society. As of
October 1, 44 boys had rejoined their biological parents (ref
b).
CHAMMAS