North South University's Centre for Legal Research, in collaboration with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), inaugurated the second edition of its certificate course on laws against trafficking in persons and smuggling of migrants today.
The inaugural event was held at the university's Moot Court Room on 26 October, 2026, under the initiative "Preventing and Addressing Trafficking in Human Beings and the Smuggling of Migrants", led by the Ministry of Home Affairs and funded by the European Union, according to a press release.
The programme brought together legal academics, students and UNODC representatives to discuss criminal justice responses, international legal standards and human rights protection in Bangladesh and South Asia.
The programme began with opening remarks from Professor Ishtiaque Ahmed, professor of law and chair of the university's Department of Law, followed by an address from Professor Md Rizwanul Islam, professor of law and dean of the School of Humanities and Social Sciences.
Ishtiaque emphasised the vital role of academic institutions in building institutional capacity and advancing preventive frameworks. Highlighting a human rights perspective, he described trafficking in persons and the smuggling of migrants as severe violations of human dignity and stressed the need for legal mechanisms that could be implemented effectively.
Rizwanul examined the international legal frameworks governing these cross-border offences. He stressed the need for strong transnational cooperation, analysing how global geopolitical dynamics, regional disparities and the involvement of state and non-state actors influence enforcement effectiveness and migration governance worldwide.
Guest speakers from the UNODC Regional Office for South Asia delivered addresses on national and global legal responses.
Tasneem Binta Karim, national programme coordinator for trafficking in persons and smuggling of migrants, and Mahdy Hassan, crime prevention and criminal justice officer for trafficking in persons and smuggling of migrants, introduced UNODC's mandate and its Education for Justice initiative.
They highlighted findings from the first national study on trafficking in persons in Bangladesh, noting how socio-economic factors such as poverty, unemployment, irregular migration and limited access to justice make young people particularly vulnerable to exploitation.
They also underscored the alignment of preventive approaches with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, particularly Sustainable Development Goals five, eight, 10 and 16.
Following the successful completion of the curriculum by the spring 2026 cohort, the second edition of the certificate course has been structured as a 12-week programme. It features intensive three-hour sessions on campus alongside live online lectures delivered by international guest experts.
The curriculum connects theoretical legal frameworks with practical applications, preparing participants to contribute to national and regional policymaking.
The event concluded with an address by Session Chair Professor Abdul Hannan Chowdhury, vice-chancellor of North South University.
Through the initiative, the university reaffirmed its commitment to advancing legal education, upholding international human rights standards and strengthening partnerships with international organisations to combat human trafficking and migrant smuggling.