A study reveals 70,000 Bangladeshi people entered Europe via Libya

Over the past ten years, Libya has been among the countries through which migrants attempt to cross to Europe.

Dhaka – A study in Bangladesh revealed that no less than 70,000 citizens of the Asian country arrived in Europe after entering Libya during the last 14 years, while “death boats” were their means of going to the European continent. They passed through four countries to reach Libya: Egypt, the Emirates, Turkey, and Syria.

Most Bangladeshis land in Libya in the hope of moving to Europe and securing better opportunities, but they may find themselves “trapped in Libyan detention camps and vulnerable to blackmail,” according to what was revealed by a study conducted by the authorities in Bangladesh with victims of human trafficking, and published by local media on Saturday. It was found that 63 percent of Bangladeshi immigrants coming illegally to Libya were detained. Among them, 93 percent are in concentration camps.

Upon their arrival in Libya, 68 percent lost their freedom of movement, and 54 percent reported that they did not eat three meals a day, according to the study. The study highlighted 557 people who returned to their homeland between January and June 2023, analyzing 50 types of information about the returnees.

Percent of Bangladeshi immigrants coming illegally to Libya were detained, including 93 percent in detention camps.

Over the past ten years, Libya has always been among the top ten countries through which people attempt to cross the Mediterranean with the aim of reaching Europe, and this arduous journey often leads to tragic accidents such as boat capsizes.

According to data from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, about 2.5 million people from different countries made this journey, from 2015 until June 2023, when about 22,000 people lost their lives by drowning, including many Bangladeshis.

The European Frontex agency reported that Bangladeshis are among the nationalities that most frequently attempt to enter Europe via the Central Mediterranean route from Libya. From 2009 to 2023, at least 70,906 Bangladeshis entered Europe via this route.

On February 15, nine Bangladeshis died in a boat sinking, while 26 others were rescued in serious condition. However, even after these tragedies, their influx continues in an effort to reach Europe, as evidenced by the return of 144 Bangladeshis from Libya last Friday, according to the study, which showed that people between the ages of 26 and 40 are the most seeking to enter Europe.

The study found that 60 percent of their families were lured by local brokers with promises of good jobs abroad, but 89 percent did not get a job or job. Regarding migration routes to Libya, the route that passes through Dubai and Egypt is the most common, in addition to the Istanbul – Dubai – Libya route, or Bangladesh – Dubai – Syria – Libya. (alarab)