Bangladesh has become the leading country of origin for migrants attempting to reach Europe via the perilous Mediterranean Sea route, particularly the dangerous Libya-to-Italy corridor. In just the first six months of 2025, at least 9,735 Bangladeshis arrived in Italy after taking this life-threatening journey.
Many of these migrants are detained in Libyan camps along the way, where they are subjected to physical abuse, torture, and extortion, according to the BRAC Migration Programme.
Although Bangladesh passed the Human Trafficking Prevention and Suppression Act in 2012, most trafficking cases remain unresolved. Convictions are rare, and many accused traffickers are ultimately acquitted.
As of January 2025, at least 4,360 trafficking-related cases were pending in courts nationwide. Of these, 1,346 remain under investigation, while 3,014 are currently on trial, according to data from the Home Ministry.
BRAC also reports that the majority of those trafficked along this route are men aged between 25 and 40. High numbers originate from districts such as Madaripur, Shariatpur, Sylhet, and Sunamganj - regions increasingly vulnerable to trafficking networks exploiting the promise of overseas employment.
Social media platforms, especially Facebook groups, are increasingly being used to lure potential migrants from Bangladesh with false promises of jobs and better lives abroad. Even when victims manage to return and file legal complaints, key traffickers often remain beyond the reach of law enforcement. Many are held captive during the journey and forced to pay ransom, while their families back home face extortion and threats. Despite the life-threatening risks-including physical abuse and even death-the number of people attempting these journeys continues to rise. Over the past decade, an estimated 70,000 Bangladeshis have reached Europe using such dangerous routes.
According to a 2024 report by the Ministry of Home Affairs, 1,034 new cases were filed under the Human Trafficking Prevention Act that year alone. Including previous cases, more than 4,360 remain pending in courts across the country, with 3,014 currently under trial and 1,346 still under investigation.
As the world marks the "International Day Against Human Trafficking" on July 30, under the theme "Organized Crime and Human Trafficking: End the Exploitation," growing concern surrounds Bangladesh's struggle to address the crisis.
Shariful Hasan, Associate Director of BRAC, noted that for several years Bangladeshis have topped the list of those trying to reach Italy via the Mediterranean. The journey is deadly, and many face horrific abuse in Libyan detention camps, with families back home being blackmailed for ransom.
He warned that traffickers have embraced digital tools to expand their networks, while law enforcement efforts lag far behind, allowing many perpetrators to act with impunity. BRAC's research further reveals that although many migrants are promised well-paying jobs, 89 per cent of those trafficked fail to secure any employment and instead suffer severe exploitation.
