Thousands of people's dreams are constantly being lost due to trafficking. Some are infatuated with a better life, while others are falling into the trap of temptation and deception to taste freedom from the scourge of poverty. They are stepping on a dangerous path with the dream of going to Europe for Tk 5 to 15 lakh. But only 11 percent of Bangladeshis reach the Europe of their dreams. The bodies, minds, and dreams of the remaining 89 percent disappear silently, beyond the borders. They are not easily rescued from the hands of human traffickers. Even if they do, their money and dreams are gone. This is how Bangladesh has earned the title of the top country for human trafficking in the world.
According to data from Frontex, which is responsible for coordinating Europe's border guards, 6,586 Bangladeshis tried to enter Europe through various routes through human traffickers in the four months from the beginning of this year to April. This number was 15,771 in 2024, 15,506 in 2023, 17,101 in 2022, and 9,208 in 2021. It also says that Bangladeshis are the most likely to try to enter Europe by crossing the Mediterranean Sea from Libya. At least 70,906 Bangladeshis entered Europe via this route from 2009 to 2023. Meanwhile, the European Union and its member states are concerned about human trafficking from Bangladesh to Europe. Foreign Ministry sources said that various European countries are pressing for the speedy repatriation of illegal Bangladeshis, expressing concern over the return of them. These include Italy, Germany, France, Spain, Malta, Greece, Austria, and other countries. Separate agreements have been made with the European Union and Italy to bring back Bangladeshis. Recently, Italian State Minister for Foreign Affairs Maria Tripodi visited Dhaka. She urged the repatriation of Bangladeshis residing illegally in the country during a meeting with Foreign Affairs Advisor Towhid Hossain.
Bangladeshis were the most trafficked people to Europe from January to June this year, according to data provided by BRAC. Bangladesh topped the list with 9,735 people trafficked by sea during this period. At the same time, Eritrea is in second place on the list with 4,348 people trafficked. Egypt is in third place on the list with 3,556 people trafficked. Pakistan is in fourth place. 2,625 people were trafficked from that country. Ethiopia is in 5th position with 1,430 people, while 1,086 people were trafficked from Syria. That country is in 6th position on the list. Sudan is in 7th position with 1,020 people, Somalia is in 8th position with 967 people, Guinea is in 9th position with 724 people, and Algeria is in 10th position with 561 people.
BRAC's report says that smugglers smuggle Bangladeshis to different countries in Europe through 3 major routes and 18 minor routes. The major routes include the Mediterranean Sea, the Eastern Mediterranean Sea, and the Western Mediterranean Sea. In addition, the smaller routes include human traffickers using routes from Bangladesh to Greece in Europe via India-Pakistan-Afghanistan-Iran-Turkey, Greece via India-Pakistan-Iran-Turkey, Dubai-Bahrain-Turkey-Libya-Italy, Dubai-Turkey-Libya to Italy, and Dubai-Libya to reach Italy. Besides, human trafficking occurs on the routes from Bangladesh to Greece via Turkey, Iraq-Turkey-Greece, Greece via Turkey, Dubai-Sudan-Libya-Italy, Dubai-Turkey-Jordan-Egypt-Libya-Italy, Oman-Dubai-Pakistan-Iran-Turkey-Greece, and Oman-Turkey-Greece. Apart from this, Sri Lanka-Qatar-Turkey-Libya to Italy, Saudi Arabia-Iraq-Syria-Turkey-Greece, Dubai-Iran-Turkey-Greece, Russia-Ukraine-Hungary-Slovenia-Italy, Iran-Azerbaijan-Armenia-Turkey-Greece, and Bangladesh to Cyprus. Human traffickers lure Bangladeshis from one country to another on these routes, month after month. But only 11 percent are lucky enough to reach their dream Europe. Of the remaining 90 percent, someone dies in a boat sinking in the Mediterranean Sea. Some are detained in detention centers in different countries. Others are subjected to inhuman torture and ransom. Their families wait for months, counting the days in hope and despair, waiting for the phone call to arrive in Europe. Those who reach the destination find laughter in their families, while those who die or are ransomed are surrounded by tears and grief. This journey of laughter and tears never ends.
According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), 2.5 million people from various countries, including Bangladesh, crossed the sea route to Europe from 2015 to June 2024. About 22,000 people have drowned at sea while trying to reach Europe. Many of them are Bangladeshis.
Poverty and lack of adequate income opportunities are identified as one of the main risks of human trafficking from Bangladesh for economic reasons. As a result, people in Bangladesh are not only becoming victims of human trafficking but also engaging in risky work. Traffickers are taking advantage of the naivety of vulnerable people by offering them the lure of a way out.
Shariful Hasan, associate director of BRAC's Migration and Youth Platform, said that Bangladesh has been at the top of human trafficking for the past few years. At least 500 Bangladeshis die every year before reaching their dream country due to the temptation of human traffickers. "People from all districts of Bangladesh do not try to go to Europe in this way. People from specific areas, including Shariatpur, Madaripur, Faridpur, Sylhet, Sunamganj, Noakhali, and Comilla, go to Europe in this way. Our research has shown that brokers are offering parents and youth in these areas good jobs and the lure of Europe, which is not realistic. Therefore, the general public and those going abroad must be aware first," he said.
