Introduction
On the occasion of World Day Against Trafficking in Persons 2026, Bangladesh Art Criticism Trust and the Dhaka University Journalists’ Association jointly organized a national seminar titled “The Role of Media and Culture in Preventing Human Trafficking” on 30 July 2026 at the R. C. Majumdar Arts Auditorium, University of Dhaka.
A defining feature of the event was that it presented human trafficking not simply as a matter of law and order or crime control, but as an issue that calls for an integrated response across culture, media, education, social awareness, research and institutional cooperation.
The seminar was also an important step for BACT in linking cultural work at the national level with social justice, human rights and crime prevention.
Chief guest and special guests
The chief guest was Advocate Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, Political Adviser to the Prime Minister. He stressed that, alongside law enforcement, preventing a crime as grave as human trafficking requires expanding cultural activities, spreading education and raising social awareness. A key point of his speech was that when cultural practice declines, crime and gaps in awareness can grow in society.
Barrister Farzana Sharmin MP, State Minister for Social Welfare, attended as special guest. She highlighted the importance of fact-based and investigative reporting by journalists in tackling human trafficking, and called for coordinated efforts by national and international organizations to protect and rehabilitate survivors.
The keynote paper was presented by Professor Rezaul Karim Shohag, Chairperson of the Department of Criminology, University of Dhaka. He outlined the picture of human trafficking in Bangladesh and internationally, and voiced concern over grave crimes such as forced labor, the exploitation of women and children, and the Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children (CSEC). He also stressed the need to implement effectively the recently re-enacted law on the prevention of human trafficking and migrant smuggling.
Guests at the national seminar
| No. | Name | Designation | Organization | Role at the seminar |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Adv. Ruhul Kabir Rizvi | Political Adviser to the Prime Minister | Prime Minister’s Office | Chief Guest |
| 2 | Barrister Farzana Sharmin | State Minister & Member of Parliament | Ministry of Social Welfare | Special Guest |
| 3 | Prof. Rezaul Karim Shohag | Chairperson | Department of Criminology, University of Dhaka | Keynote Speaker |
| 4 | Sanjoy Kumar Dey | Chairman, BACT & Assistant Professor, University of Dhaka | Bangladesh Art Criticism Trust & Department of Art History | Presided |
| 5 | Manjur Hossain Mahi | President, DUJA | Dhaka University Journalists’ Association (DUJA) | Special Guest |
| 6 | Ester Chity Sikder | Program Measurement Manager (MERL) | International Justice Mission (IJM), Bangladesh | Guest of Honour |
| 7 | Immanuel Chayan Biswas | Bangladesh Focal Point, COATnet Global | Caritas Bangladesh, member of COATnet Global (Christian Organizations Against Trafficking Network) | Guest of Honour |
| 8 | Roton Malo | General Secretary, BACT & Sr. Associate – Branding & Communications, IJM Bangladesh | International Justice Mission (IJM), Bangladesh and Bangladesh Art Criticism Trust | Moderator |
