European Commissioner for Home Affairs Ylva Johansson on Friday said it is priority of the European Commission (EU) to work together with Bangladesh in curbing human trafficking. She said that sending the irregular migrants back to the country of origin swiftly from the European countries will help manage migration safely together moving away from irregular to regular.
There are many things Bangladesh and EU can do together including efforts to give the right information to the people about the risk of irregular arrivals in Europe.
Human trafficking and migrant smuggling cannot be prevented by a single organisation or an agency or entity rather concerted effort of all concerned is required. Human trafficking is like cancer in a society that undermines the lives of individuals and the future of their families and tarnishes the country’s image.
Bangladeshis are one of the top ten nationals who crossed the Mediterranean Sea during 2014-2022, and such statistics go against the achievements Bangladesh made. Despite sustained efforts, human trafficking continues to thrive through transnational networks.
We must build strong
and united resistance
against human-
trafficking
It has been noticed over the past years, youths in different districts of the country have become desperate to migrate to European countries, even at great risk to their finances and personal safety. In consequence, many youths went missing while they were crossing the Mediterranean Sea to reach European countries including Italy and Greece using Libya and Turkey as transit points along their route.
A good number of them went missing before they reached the destination. The government has taken various measures to promoting legal migration but many Bangladeshis try to reach European countries illegally resulting in tragic and frequent deaths in their perilous journey through the seas.
The organised international criminals groups in association with the local human traffickers are luring our youths into danger with the promise of a luxurious life in European countries.
We must build strong and united resistance against human-trafficking so that our youths will not be allured to go abroad illegally. All must keep in mind that the human traffickers in both country and abroad are a highly powerful coterie.
Therefore, it is priority of all us to work together with the government to refrain our youths from going Europe illegally. In this regard, media can play a constructive role to educate our people about the risk of choosing irregular pathways of migration.