Bangladesh Adopts ‘Zero-Tolerance’ Policy on Illegal Migration: Home Minister
The government has adopted a ‘zero-tolerance’ policy on illegal migration, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed has said.
He made the remarks during a meeting with a high-level delegation led by European Union (EU) Commissioner for Home Affairs and Migration Magnus Brunner at his office at the Secretariat on Tuesday (October 13).
During the meeting, both sides discussed preventing illegal migration and human trafficking, exporting skilled workers through legal channels, strengthening border security and resolving the Rohingya crisis, among other issues of mutual interest.
The home minister said Bangladesh was committed to working with the EU to prevent human trafficking through risky and illegal routes and ensure the safety of aspiring migrants.
He said Bangladesh wanted to bring illegal migration down to zero and create opportunities to send fully documented and skilled workers to European labour markets.
EU Commissioner Magnus Brunner praised the strategic partnership and cooperation with Bangladesh, saying preventing human trafficking and closing irregular migration routes were priorities for both sides. Reducing illegal migration would make it easier for Bangladeshi workers to enter European labour markets through legal channels, he added.
The meeting also discussed international-standard training and certification for Bangladeshi workers under the Talent Partnership project to speed up legal migration.
The home minister said Bangladesh had requested EU member states to send training experts to the country to provide direct training and certification to around 750 skilled workers to resolve complications related to European certification. The EU delegation responded positively to the proposal.
He further said an Advanced Passenger Information and Border Management System would be introduced at the country’s air, sea and land ports by the end of this year to monitor passenger traffic and identify criminals. The system would be connected to Interpol databases.
Discussions were also held on establishing a direct institutional agreement between the Ministry of Home Affairs and the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (FRONTEX) to strengthen border management and technological capacity.
Calling for international pressure to resolve the Rohingya crisis, the minister said uncontrolled population growth and recent regional instability had made the crisis a serious threat to regional and global security, not just Bangladesh.
He sought the EU’s active cooperation in putting effective international pressure on Myanmar authorities and the Arakan Army to ensure the safe, voluntary and dignified repatriation of Rohingyas to Myanmar. The EU delegation assured him of joint diplomatic efforts on the issue.
Other members of the delegation included EU Ambassador to Bangladesh Michael Miller, Director Henrik Nielsen, Cabinet Member Grigorios Delavekouras and EU Deputy Head of Mission Baiba Zarina, among others.
Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Home Affairs Dr Ziauddin Ahmed and senior officials from the ministries of home and foreign affairs were also present at the meeting.
