Human Trafficking: The Mediterranean Death Trap

The largest route for human trafficking in Europe is being used Libyan coastal areas of the Mediterranean country. This war-torn country has been used as a haven for human traffickers in Europe since long and this route has become widely known around the world as a death trap for human traffickers. Shortly afterwards, the news of the death of the boat sinking on this route became the headline of the media in home and abroad.

But even then this dangerous death procession and the heinous game of human trafficking is not stopping. Many are desperately dreaming of going to Europe and this opportunity is being used by a group of illegal human traffickers. In May 2020, 26 Bangladeshis and 4 Africans were shot dead by human traffickers in the Libyan city of Mizdah and at least 11 others were injured in that incident.

Then the tone of the authorities changed. In addition, according to the Tunisian Red Crescent, 84 people were rescued in the Mediterranean in July 2021, but 43 drowned. Among the 84 people rescued are citizens of four other countries including Bangladesh. News of such death in water is constantly coming as a mind-boggling way.

Human trafficking gangs take young people from different countries including Bangladesh, India and Pakistan to Libya. After capturing them and collecting up to Tk. 6-7 lakh from their families, they were taken to Italy or a European country and handed over in a boat or trawler to cross the Mediterranean. In most cases, these migrants are buried in the sea. Again, many lives are spent in the torture and cruelty of human traffickers. According to law enforcement, members of trafficking gangs across the country first recruit people after being tempted to go to Europe. They were then sent to Libya on three routes, including road and air.

The latest shipped from Libya to Europe via the Tunisian coast. It takes two months to a year to complete the whole process at a cost of Tk 6 to 7 lakh. The preparation of passports of the victims, collection of visas, purchase of tickets are all done under the supervision of this syndicate. The trafficking cycle in Europe uses three routes. In this case, they reached Libya by road and air. Most recently, the ring was smuggled from Libya to Europe via the Tunisian coast.

Libya is the first 'transit point' for European traffickers. The country is in a state of civil war in the last few years over control of Libya and it is their internal affair. But with this opportunity, the human trafficking ring has been active there for almost a decade. In Libya, brokers keep them captive in a house. Then began all the horrible events and Europeans were brutally tortured by the middlemen.

After taking the money in stages, it was sent to Italy by sea. There, too, another section of the brokers had to be detained. Those who can rush to the shore are again tortured to collect money. Many people get the opportunity to work illegally if they get lucky after paying a few points. Again, some get in jail. Many can reach the coast of Italy and many drown in the sea and get lost forever.

According to a recent report released by BRAC's migration program, 62,583 Bangladeshis have entered Europe illegally in the last 12 years. In the first six months of 2021, at least 3,332 Bangladeshis entered Europe on nine different routes. Most of them are between 25 and 40 years old. In addition, 17,639 Bangladeshis entered Europe between 2009 and May 2021 using the Eastern Mediterranean route (both sea and land routes) and another 758 using the Western Mediterranean route (both sea and land routes).

On the other hand, citing Frontex, which is in charge of coordinating Europe's border guards, BRAC said that most of the 37,198 Bangladeshis entered Europe using the Central Mediterranean route. The other four routes used to enter Europe are the Western Balkan Route, the Western African Route, the Circular Route from Albania to Greece, and the Eastern Border Route. Although Frontex Europe has identified nine routes for irregular migration, BRAC's own research has found 18 different routes that Bangladeshis use to travel to Europe illegally.

According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, from 2014 to June 2021, a total of 22,24,245 people from different countries came to Europe by sea. At the same time, 21,707 people lost their lives. According to data from January to June 2021, most of the people who have tried to enter Europe in this way are Bangladeshis, about 14.5 percent.

A study by BRAC's Migration Program found that 26 to 40-year-olds are the most likely to enter Europe. Most of the people are 31 to 35 years old. In the last few years, 2,284 people returning from Europe and Libya have been interviewed and most people from Sylhet, Sunamganj, Madaripur, Munshiganj, Shariatpur, Dhaka, Noakhali, Kishoreganj, Brahmanbaria and Comilla districts of Bangladesh have tried to go to Europe in this way. It has cost Tk. 3 to 15 lakh per person to go to Europe in this way.

According to the BRAC Migration Program, 'this is a terrible picture for human trafficking.'In the same way, in the name of sending Rohingyas to Malaysia, the domestic and foreign clique has got into another dangerous game. They are quite active internationally.

After one human trafficker after another was killed in a gunfight with law enforcement in the middle of last year, the gang's activities have diminished, but they have become reckless. But this time they are trying to change the traditional way of human trafficking by targeting helpless Rohingya beautiful young women and sending them to Malaysia illegally by sea. Numerous brokers from four countries, including Myanmar and Thailand, are directly involved in this cycle.

They are recruiting young women as well as men of different ages from the surrounding areas including the Rohingya camp in Cox's Bazar by showing false temptations in various ways. They are taking crores of Taka from the common people by showing greed to go abroad by sea at low cost. These people have links with different syndicates from home and abroad.

Returning Bangladeshis have described various tragic incidents of oppression, including hostage-taking and ransom. These things have also come up in various international reports and media. In this way, various international organizations have to take the responsibility so that no more immigrants die there.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Expatriate Welfare of Bangladesh have to play a strong role in this regard.Human traffickers are becoming increasingly reckless and need to be strictly controlled. They are becoming reckless like powerless horses. It is very important to identify them and bring them under the law, otherwise they will continue to play a dangerous game with human lives.


Md Zillur Rahaman is a Banker and Freelance Columnist