Key Highlights:
- According to United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) data, nearly 160,000 individuals embarked on hazardous voyages across the Mediterranean last year
- On February 15th, 2024, a tragic incident occurred when a vessel carrying 52 migrants from various countries towards Europe sank in the Mediterranean Sea
- Since July 2023, a total of 1,245 Bangladeshi nationals have been repatriated from Libya
Despite opportunities to develop a good economic base in the won country in a way of working or floating small entrepreneurship, hundreds of youth are desperately looking for European life to enjoy. Unfortunately, the modern lifestyle of Europe has always alluring them to take risks for seattle over there.
Frequent reports surface of Bangladeshis vanishing or perishing while trying to cross the treacherous Mediterranean Sea in search of a better life in Europe. This dangerous expedition not only exposes Bangladeshi youth to harsh conditions and brutal treatment but also places them in life-threatening situations as they pursue a brighter future on the continent.
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Among the hundreds of thousands embarking on such risky ventures from various nations, thousands hail from Bangladesh. According to United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) data, nearly 160,000 individuals embarked on hazardous voyages across the Mediterranean last year aboard flimsy boats bound for Italy from different parts of the globe, with approximately 13,000 being Bangladeshis.
However, not all those venturing on this perilous journey are fortunate. Many unfortunate travelers face torture at the hands of traffickers or meet a tragic end, often crowded like sardines on the boats they traverse. According to a UN report last year, 1,897 individuals went missing during the perilous voyage across the Mediterranean Sea to Italy.
Hoping to Live, Leaving to Die: Recurring Deaths of Bangladeshi Migrants
On February 15th, 2024, a tragic incident occurred when a vessel carrying 52 migrants from various countries towards Europe sank in the Mediterranean Sea due to a fire onboard, resulting in the loss of at least 9 lives. The majority of those who perished were Bangladeshi nationals.
Tragic Incident in the Mediterranean Sea: February 15, 2024
- Fatalities: 9 lives lost
- Rescued: 26 Bangladeshi nationals
- Critical Condition: 1 individual
The Tunisian Navy managed to rescue 26 Bangladeshi individuals from the vessel, one of whom was in critical condition. Earlier, on January 31st, 139 Bangladeshi migrants, who had been detained in different parts of Benghazi, Libya, were able to return home.
Since July 2023, a total of 1,245 Bangladeshi nationals have been repatriated from Libya. A study revealed that between 2009 and 2023, approximately 70,900 individuals undertook illegal journeys facilitated by traffickers to Europe via Libya.
Alarmingly, 63% of undocumented Bangladeshi migrant workers who opted for the Libyan route were subjected to forced detention in the North African country, as indicated by a case study involving rescued trafficking victims from Bangladesh. Among these victims, 93% were confined in prison camps, with 79% enduring physical torture. Moreover, upon reaching Libya, 68% experienced restricted freedom of movement, while 54% reported inadequate access to three meals a day.
Frontex, the agency responsible for coordinating Europe’s border guards, highlighted Bangladeshis as one of the most common nationalities attempting to enter Europe via the Central Mediterranean route from Libya.
Shadowy Routes Taken by Bangladeshi Migrants
A recent BRAC study reveals that individuals aged between 26 and 40 are most inclined to seek entry into Europe, with those aged 31 to 35 being the most prominent among them. Among the 557 survivors interviewed in the study, a majority hailed from Madaripur, Shariatpur, Faridpur, Sylhet, Sunamganj, Munshiganj, Noakhali, Brahmanbaria, and Cumilla.
The study highlights that 60% of these individuals were enticed by local brokers promising lucrative overseas employment opportunities, yet a staggering 89% failed to secure any employment upon arrival. The primary route to Libya typically involves transit through Dubai and Egypt.
Notably, common routes from Bangladesh to Libya include Dhaka-Istanbul-Dubai, Dhaka-Qatar-Libya, and Dhaka-Dubai-Syria-Libya, with a few opting for direct travel from Dhaka.
Of the survivors, 56% managed to gather the required funds independently, while 23% received financial aid from their families.
The study further said since 2009, over 2.6 million migrants from various countries have journeyed to Europe via the sea, often starting their voyage from the northern tip of Africa. A UNHCR update from December 2023 revealed that out of 5,236 refugees and migrants who arrived in Italy by sea that month, 13% were Bangladeshis.
3 Districts Flagged as Human Trafficking Hotbeds
The latest update of the National Plan of Action Prevention and Suppression of Human Trafficking for 2023-25, on December 31, pinpointed 3 districts- Cox’s Bazar, Mymensingh, and Jessore as hotspots for human trafficking. According to the report, there are approximately 3,700 pending cases related to human trafficking, involving around 34,500 accused individuals.
In October 2022, the government initiated the first national research report on human trafficking in the country. This report revealed a significant number of human trafficking cases registered with courts and police nationwide. Despite measures such as the establishment of anti-trafficking tribunals across 7 divisions and the enactment of the Prevention and Suppression of Human Trafficking Act, obstacles persist in bringing cases to trial and securing convictions.
Another report from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crimes 2020 highlights Bangladesh’s vulnerability to human trafficking due to economic hardships among its people. Despite notable progress in reducing poverty, about 30% particularly from the early 1990s to the late 2010s, many individuals in rural areas still face restricted economic opportunities and remain below the poverty line.
Exploiting this situation, traffickers lure those living in impoverished conditions with promises of better-earning prospects in North America, Europe, and the Middle East, as detailed in the report.
Hotbeds of Human Trafficking
- Cox’s Bazar
- Mymensingh
- Jessore
The recurring tragedies of Bangladeshi migrants, risking their lives on perilous journeys across the Mediterranean, raise profound questions about the global response to migration and the plight of those seeking better opportunities. As reports continue to highlight the grim realities faced by individuals leaving their homes in search of a brighter future, it becomes imperative to reflect on the systemic issues that drive such perilous migrations. What measures can be taken to address the root causes of migration and ensure the safety and dignity of those compelled to embark on such treacherous voyages?