Home Affairs Adviser Lieutenant General Md. Jahangir Alam Chowdhury (Retd.) has said that the Digital National Referral Mechanism (NRM) platform is an important and milestone initiative of the Ministry of Home Affairs for protection and assistance to victims of human trafficking.
The Adviser made this remark while speaking as the chief guest at the inauguration ceremony of the Digital National Referral Mechanism (NRM) designed to identify, protect and assist victims of trafficking organized by the Ministry of Home Affairs at the Ruposhi Bangla Grand Ballroom-2 of Hotel Intercontinental in the capital on Monday (September 29, 2025) morning.
James Goldman, Deputy High Commissioner of the British High Commission to Bangladesh, spoke as the special guest at the ceremony chaired by Senior Secretary of the Ministry of Home Affairs Nasimul Gani. Among others, Senior Secretary of the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Dr. Neamat Ulya Bhuiyan, IGP Baharul Alam BPM and others. Joint Secretary of Political-1 Branch of the Ministry of Home Affairs Md. Jasim Uddin Khan delivered the welcome speech.
The Advisor said that human trafficking and migrant smuggling are serious and worrisome crimes worldwide. As a transit and destination country, Bangladesh is also not immune to its devastating impact. The Bangladesh government has always given top priority to combating this crime. He said that we have created a strong legal framework in this regard. However, we also recognize that victims of human trafficking are the most vulnerable members of society. Providing them with protection and rehabilitation is as important as bringing the perpetrators to justice.
Lieutenant General Md. Jahangir Alam Chowdhury (Retd.) said that victims of trafficking face psychological trauma, exploitation and social exclusion. Although both government and private service providers provide assistance, there are some challenges in coordination and timely referral. The advisor said that to address these challenges, the Ministry of Home Affairs has developed the Digital NRM. This platform will enable more effective identification of victims, seamless connectivity with authorized service providers and rapid referral services under a structured case management system. He said that by integrating services under a single digital framework, the NRM will increase coordination, improve efficiency and strengthen accountability in assisting victims. He added that the system has already been tested and it will show transformative potential in advancing victim-centric service delivery in Bangladesh.
The Home Affairs Advisor said that the government has taken several other steps to combat the heinous crime of human trafficking. These include reviewing existing laws to include the crime of human trafficking and formulating a National Action Plan on Human Trafficking for 2026-2030, establishing a new TIP reporting and repatriation data management system as well as a special investigation unit in the CID, introducing investigation guidelines for police officers and making victim identification guidelines mandatory for all relevant stakeholders. He said these measures aim to provide justice, dismantle criminal networks and provide comprehensive support to victims.
