Plight of illegal migrants on way to Europe

Every year, a large number of Bangladeshis lose their lives on their way to Europe in quest of a better future. They are promised by brokers that at a cost of Tk 6.0-12 lakh, a chain of fixers would move them first to Dubai or Muscat, then to Egypt or Tunisia; and finally, to Libya's coast. Most of the time, their dream ends in a desert lock-up or at sea. According to the International Organization for Migration (IOM) data, at least 283 Bangladeshis have died on the Mediterranean route since 2014. The exact number is likely to be much higher because many disappear without a trace.

Among all the nationalities, the Bangladeshis use the central Mediterranean route, the deadliest sea passage in the world. According to the EU 2024figures, 4,537 Bangladeshis had crossed irregularly via the Mediterranean route.

That same year, IOM recorded 2,452 deaths on the Mediterranean. Libya, the primary departure point, has become synonymous with migrant abuse. Rights organisations have documented torture, sexual assault, forced labour, kidnapping and systemic detention in both official centres and militia-run warehouses. The Amnesty International has described conditions as "hellish," while the Global Detention Project reports routine overcrowding, starvation and physical assaults. On June 14, 2023, the "Adriana" trawler sank off the coast of Greece, along with 600 people on board. Survivors pleaded for help, describing the doomed vessel departed from Libya. The Bangladeshis were attempting a similar crossing at that time.

Still, the Bangladeshis risk their lives to escape the wage stagnation, underemployment for educated youths and debt. Traffickers exploit their desperation to market "Italy packages", presenting the expedition as legit with staged videos of safe arrival.

Even after surviving the sea, deportation risks remain. Italy's reception system struggles to keep up with the periodic surges; asylum processing backlogs stretch months. Many are pushed back from the Greek islands or face summary returns across the Balkans. When someone goes missing, their parents in Bangladesh are left with no choice but to sell their remaining assets to chase rumours of detention camps and smugglers' fees for release.

The Bangladesh authorities have started to crack down on trafficking. After a 2020 massacre of immigrants in Libya, the authorities arrested dozens of people involved in trafficking rings. Bangladesh and Libya have engaged in UNODC-facilitated dialogues on trafficking and migrant smuggling, acknowledging that Bangladeshis are heavily represented among those attempting it. But the lack of coordinated effort across countries makes it hard to crack down on transnational networks whose supply chain stretches from village brokers to North African militias.

Bangladesh needs to follow a strategy that blends deterrence, protection and alternatives to reducing the tragedies encountered by those who look for a better future through migration in Europe.

Village-level "migration clinics" led by the expatriates' welfare ministry, local administration and NGOs could deliver fact-checked messaging and expose the real risks, mortality rates and legal consequences. Campaigns should use the same channel the traffickers use -- YouTube Shorts, Facebook Reels, TikTok -- countering smuggler propaganda.

The flow of money must be tracked through hundis, MFS accounts and front businesses that are used to collect deposits and ransoms. With the cooperation of Italy, Greece and especially Libya, a joint investigation must prioritise the financial intelligence to successfully prosecute the recruiters at the top of the chain. As bilateral labour agreements for low- and mid-skill sectors in Europe remain limited, the government can expand safe channels in other countries. The government must support those who return. Reintegration programmes should prioritise debt relief along with mentoring and psychosocial care.

There will always be some Bangladeshis dreaming of going to Europe. Just as there will always be the Europeans who can benefit from their labour. Bangladesh must invest in prevention, enforcement, and alternatives to the loss of migrants' lives.

rahmansrdk@gmail.com