US embassy cable - 05DHAKA5654

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