World Day Against Trafficking in Persons was observed on July 30 to raise awareness, support victims and reinforce global efforts to combat this transnational crime. The occasion comes at a time when human trafficking and irregular migrants have left a dark stain on Bangladesh's international image. Bangladesh tops the list of countries whose citizens arrived in Europe through the Mediterranean. In pursuit of a better future, many fall prey to trafficking networks, endure brutal torture and exploitation in Libya, while countless others perish in the Mediterranean.
Meanwhile, many Bangladeshis and Rohingya risk their lives by undertaking the perilous journey across the Bay of Bengal to reach Malaysia in overcrowded, engine-powered boats. In June alone, at least 500 Rohingya reportedly died during these deadly voyages. Human trafficking networks operating in Malaysia also lure many Bangladeshis and rob them with false promises of taking them to Australia.
These endless tragedies reflect the country's deeper socio-economic issues. Bangladesh has failed to create enough decent jobs to absorb tens of thousands of young people entering the labour market each year. It is therefore not surprising that surveys show four out of every five youths would leave the country if given the opportunity. Desperation has become the traffickers' greatest weapon. Those seeking a better life abroad often fall victim not only to human traffickers but also to cyber fraudsters and other organised criminal networks. Trafficking networks have also become more sophisticated. Social media platforms now serve as powerful recruitment tools, enabling criminal syndicates to target vulnerable people with fake job offers, forged documents and promises of easy migration.
The scale of the problem is deeply alarming. According to the Global Organized Crime Index, human trafficking is Bangladesh's largest transnational crime. Data from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) show that 4,249 Bangladeshis entered Italy through irregular routes during the first six months of this year, while another 3,608 reached Greece via Libya. Frontex estimates that nearly 110,000 Bangladeshis entered Europe irregularly through the Central Mediterranean route between 2009 and June this year. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) reports that the number of Bangladeshis reaching Europe through irregular channels rose from 4,510 in 2020 to 24,318 in 2025. By July this year, the figure had already reached 7,969. These statistics make it clear that the problem is getting worse every year.
The consequences extend far beyond the suffering of individual victims. Human trafficking is undermining the international credibility of Bangladeshi passports, limiting opportunities for lawful overseas employment and subjecting genuine students and travellers to stricter visa scrutiny. According to the latest Henley Passport Index, Bangladeshi passport holders now enjoy visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to only 35 countries, down from 37 last year. Some countries, including Vietnam, have reportedly stopped issuing visas to Bangladeshi nationals, while others are tightening labour, student and tourist visa requirements.
Human trafficking is a modern form of slavery, and allowing it to flourish is among the state's gravest failures. The government has enacted the Human Trafficking and Migrant Smuggling Prevention and Suppression Act, 2026, and adopted a national action plan to combat trafficking. The provision of the death penalty may ensure that the human traffickers who are caught and tried will get the punishment they deserve. But enactment of tough legislation alone is not enough. The real challenge lies in effective enforcement. Authorities must ensure swift prosecution of traffickers, strengthen legal safeguards against cyber fraud, expand public awareness campaigns, create decent employment opportunities at home and facilitate safe, affordable and legal migration. Equally important is closer regional and international cooperation, as no country can combat this transnational crime in isolation. At the same time, as traffickers increasingly exploit digital technology, combating the crime will require stronger cyber monitoring, digital literacy and public awareness to prevent people from becoming victims in the first place.
aktuhin.fexpress@gmail.com