Rome: Home Adviser Lt. Gen. Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury (retd) has urged Italy to take necessary steps to legalize Bangladeshi nationals residing in the country. ‘The Italy government will take generous initiatives to legalize Bangladeshi nationals staying in Italy,’ he expressed during a meeting with Italy’s Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi at the ministry’s conference room.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the Adviser assured the Italian minister of Bangladesh’s cooperation in facilitating the return of illegal Bangladeshi nationals under a mutually agreed framework. He emphasized Bangladesh’s willingness to address a range of issues with Italy, including irregular migration, dismantling criminal networks involved in human trafficking, and enhancing bilateral cooperation in security matters.
The two countries are on the verge of signing a declaration to establish a Joint Committee on Promoting Cooperation in Preventing and Combating Transnational Organized Crimes and an Agreement on Cooperation in Security Matters. These initiatives aim to bolster collaboration based on mutual understanding and respect.
Jahangir acknowledged the challenges faced by the Italian government due to the significant number of Bangladeshi nationals entering Italy through various channels. He pointed out that many began their journey with proper documentation but encountered exploitation and misinformation, particularly during transit through other countries.
The Government of Bangladesh is committed to addressing these challenges with a comprehensive strategy focused on law enforcement, education, and human rights protection. A robust legal framework has been developed to combat human trafficking, including the establishment of the Trafficking in Human Beings (THB) Unit and Special Tribunals to expedite legal proceedings.
To enhance coordination, specialized training has been implemented for law enforcement agencies, border guards, prosecutors, and judges. Inter-agency coordination, particularly in intelligence sharing, is prioritized, with mechanisms in place to identify, rescue, repatriate, and reintegrate victims.
Despite efforts, criminal networks remain sophisticated and operate across borders. Jahangir emphasized the value of establishing formal mechanisms for regular dialogue, legal cooperation, and joint efforts between Bangladesh and Italy. He highlighted the importance of timely information exchange, technical collaboration, and shared training to effectively address evolving threats.
Italy’s proposal for an Agreement on Cooperation in Security Matters is appreciated by Bangladesh, which is also keen on exploring a Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty to strengthen legal and judicial cooperation between the two countries.