Bangladesh Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed on Wednesday said the newly enacted Prevention and Suppression of Human Trafficking and Migrant Smuggling Act, 2026 will significantly strengthen Bangladesh's efforts to combat human trafficking and migrant smuggling, including the misuse of digital platforms and technology by organised criminal networks.

Speaking at the National Dissemination Meeting on the new law at Hotel InterContinental Dhaka, the minister said the legislation brings Bangladesh's legal and institutional framework in line with international standards to address the evolving tactics of transnational criminal syndicates.

"The newly enacted Prevention and Suppression of Human Trafficking and Migrant Smuggling Act, 2026 marks a significant milestone in Bangladesh's fight against these serious transnational crimes," he said.

The event, jointly organised by the Ministry of Home Affairs and Justice & Care Bangladesh, focused on strengthening the country's legal and institutional response to human trafficking and migrant smuggling.

Salahuddin reaffirmed the government's commitment to tackling the crimes through stronger legislation, enhanced institutional coordination and a victim-centred criminal justice system.

He said the new law clearly distinguishes human trafficking from migrant smuggling, establishes a comprehensive legal framework to prosecute migrant smuggling, strengthens investigation and prosecution mechanisms, enhances protection for victims and witnesses, and expands international cooperation in line with global standards.

The legislation also upholds the internationally recognised principle of non-criminalisation of victims, ensuring their dignity, rights and security throughout the justice process, he added.

The minister stressed that effective implementation of the law would require close cooperation among government agencies, law enforcement, the judiciary, development partners and civil society.

The meeting was chaired by Senior Home Secretary Manzur Morshed Chowdhury and attended by Foreign Secretary Asad Alam Siam, British High Commissioner Sarah Cooke, US Ambassador Brent T. Christensen, Inspector General of Police Md Ali Hossain Fakir, Coast Guard Director General Rear Admiral Md Ziaul Hoque, BGB Director General Major General Mohammad Ashrafuzzaman Siddiqui and Additional Home Secretary Dr Ziauddin Ahmed, among others.

During the programme, Justice & Care Bangladesh Country Director Mohammad Tariqul Islam presented the background, objectives and key provisions of the new law, followed by a high-level discussion on implementation priorities and inter-agency coordination.

Participants said the dissemination programme would help build a common understanding of the Act among implementing agencies and strengthen coordination across the criminal justice system, from investigation to prosecution and judicial disposal.

Senior representatives from law enforcement agencies, intelligence organisations, the judiciary, relevant ministries, diplomatic missions, UN agencies, international organisations, development partners and civil society organisations also attended the event.