Traffickers still lure Bangladeshis abroad
Bangladesh repatriated another 340 nationals from war-torn Libya on Friday, underscoring the continuing challenge of human trafficking and irregular migration despite repeated government warnings and stepped-up efforts to dismantle trafficking networks.
The returnees arrived at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 11:40am on a Fly Oya International flight from Tripoli under a voluntary humanitarian repatriation programme coordinated by the Bangladesh government, Libyan authorities and the International Organization for Migration.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, most of the returnees had travelled to Libya after being lured by traffickers with false promises of reaching Europe through dangerous Mediterranean routes. Many later became victims of kidnapping, torture, extortion and exploitation.
Officials from the foreign ministry, the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment, the Bangladesh Embassy in Libya and the IOM received them at the airport.
The foreign ministry urged the returnees to share their experiences within their communities to discourage others from falling prey to trafficking networks.
The IOM provided each returnee with travel assistance, food and primary healthcare, as well as temporary accommodation where necessary.
Officials said the foreign ministry, Bangladesh Embassy in Libya, expatriates’ welfare ministry and the IOM were jointly working to secure the safe return of Bangladeshis still being held in detention centres across Libya.
The latest operation is part of a broader government initiative to combat irregular migration and human trafficking.
Officials said coordination among ministries, law enforcement agencies and overseas missions had been strengthened to identify trafficking victims, facilitate their repatriation and pursue traffickers under existing laws.
The government has also established specialised anti-trafficking units and coordination mechanisms involving the home, foreign and expatriates’ welfare ministries to monitor trafficking routes, support victims and coordinate repatriation with international partners.
Bangladesh has accelerated the repatriation of stranded migrants from Libya in recent months as insecurity and worsening humanitarian conditions continue to affect foreign nationals.
Hundreds of Bangladeshis have returned through a series of voluntary repatriation flights organised with the support of the IOM and Libyan authorities.
Migration experts say Libya remains one of the main transit countries used by trafficking syndicates seeking to move migrants towards Europe through irregular sea routes.
Prof Tasneem Siddiqui, founding chair of the Refugee and Migratory Movements Research Unit, said traffickers continued to exploit unemployed young people by offering unrealistic promises of jobs and settlement in Europe.
“The repeated return of trafficking victims demonstrates that awareness alone is not enough. Stronger action is needed against recruitment networks operating at the local level, alongside expanded opportunities for safe and regular labour migration,” she told The New Nation.
Migration analysts said the repatriation efforts reflected the government’s commitment to protecting citizens abroad, but stressed that prevention remained the most effective response.
“Every successful repatriation saves lives, but the real solution lies in dismantling trafficking networks, expanding legal migration pathways and strengthening international cooperation with transit countries,” an expert said.
Officials again urged aspiring migrants to use authorised recruitment channels and avoid irregular routes, warning that such journeys frequently lead to detention, abuse, extortion and loss of life.
