In a bid to tackle the migrant crisis in the region, Bangladesh has announced its decision to establish seven special courts across the country to try smugglers accused of trafficking migrants to Southeast Asia on rickety boats, a minister said.
Law and Justice Minister Anisul Huq said that a court will be set up in each of the nation's provinces following a recent rise in trafficking of Bangladeshis and Rohingya from neighbouring Myanmar, reports the Dawn.
The decision came after Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina lashed out at the country's economic migrants, calling them "mentally sick" for fleeing in search of jobs and accusing them of hurting the country's reputation.
Over 3,500 migrants have swum to shore or rescued off the coasts of Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand and Bangladesh since the crisis broke out.
