DHAKA // Bangladesh is moving to set up seven special courts across the country to try people smugglers charged with trafficking desperate migrants to South East Asia.
Law and justice minister Anisul Huq said on Thursday a court would be established in each of the country’s provinces.
“There will be seven tribunals to try traffickers,” Mr Huq said, without giving a timeline for operations to begin.
The move comes after prime minister Sheikh Hasina on Sunday called the country’s economic migrants “mentally sick” for fleeing in search of jobs, and accusing them of hurting the country’s image.
Ms Hasina called on authorities to halt the flow of migrants and take action against human traffickers.
Bangladesh’s police and border forces have launched a crackdown on the smugglers in recent weeks after the discovery of mass graves of migrants in Thailand.
Authorities have shot dead at least five suspected traffickers and arrested more than 100 others.
Bangladesh enacted an anti-human trafficking law in 2012 which stipulates the death penalty for the worst offenders.
* Agence France-Presse
The specs
School uniforms report
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BEETLEJUICE BEETLEJUICE
Starring: Winona Ryder, Michael Keaton, Jenny Ortega
Director: Tim Burton
Rating: 3/5
The specs
Engine: 1.5-litre turbo
Power: 181hp
Torque: 230Nm
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
Starting price: Dh79,000
On sale: Now
The specs
Engine: 1.5-litre 4-cylinder petrol
Power: 154bhp
Torque: 250Nm
Transmission: 7-speed automatic with 8-speed sports option
Price: From Dh79,600
On sale: Now
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The Perfect Couple
Starring: Nicole Kidman, Liev Schreiber, Jack Reynor
Creator: Jenna Lamia
Rating: 3/5
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Four title fights:
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Six undercard bouts:
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Will Wilson is not the first player to have attained high-class representative honours after first learning to play rugby on the playing fields of UAE.
Jonny Macdonald
Abu Dhabi-born and raised, the current Jebel Ali Dragons assistant coach was selected to play for Scotland at the Hong Kong Sevens in 2011.
Jordan Onojaife
Having started rugby by chance when the Jumeirah College team were short of players, he later won the World Under 20 Championship with England.
Devante Onojaife
Followed older brother Jordan into England age-group rugby, as well as the pro game at Northampton Saints, but recently switched allegiance to Scotland.
Temple numbers
Expected completion: 2022
Height: 24 meters
Ground floor banquet hall: 370 square metres to accommodate about 750 people
Ground floor multipurpose hall: 92 square metres for up to 200 people
First floor main Prayer Hall: 465 square metres to hold 1,500 people at a time
First floor terrace areas: 2,30 square metres
Temple will be spread over 6,900 square metres
Structure includes two basements, ground and first floor
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How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.