Incidents of Bangladeshi citizens dying in the Mediterranean Sea while illegally going to Europe have increased significantly amid the pandemic.
Experts are saying that the number has increased recently as fewer opportunities are available now to migrate legally due to the pandemic.
Shariful Hasan, head of Brac Migration Programme told Bangladesh Post that at present, Bangladesh is occupying the first position among citizens of countries attempting to enter European countries illegally.
“Almost 3,000 Bangladeshis have been detained this year while entering Europe illegally,” he said.
Regarding this tendency, he said “People think that all the problems of their lives will be solved once they go to Europe.”
He further said that the people who are attempting to go to Europe illegally are going despite being aware of the risks involved. In this case, the person attempting to go and his family have to understand that this is not the solution and involves life risks. And even if the person succeeds in reaching Europe, he will be arrested.
He suggested that the law enforcement agencies should conduct drives in specific zones throughout the year against the traffickers.
“Actions should also be taken against the international human trafficking gangs in Libya or Turkey who are involved with the local traffickers,” he added.
According to the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), 4,510 irregular Bangladeshi nationals arrived by sea and by land in Europe by entering Italy, Malta, Spain or Greece in 2020. The highest share of Bangladeshi nationals was registered in Italy (92 percent of the total arrivals by land and by sea).
According to the Bureau of Manpower, Employment and Training (BMET), only 21 registered migrants migrated to the United Kingdom in 2020.
Asif Munier, former National Programme officer of IOM and a migration and refugee affairs specialist, told Bangladesh Post that the decline in regular migration due to limited scope during the pandemic is one of the reasons behind this increased rate of illegal migration.
“A large number of Bangladeshis have gone to Europe illegally at various times and are still living there, by overstaying. Although European policies include detaining and deporting in terms of illegal migration, a limited number of Bangladeshis have been repatriated so far. Therefore, the people of Bangladesh, who consider going to Europe, think that these people who have gone earlier are still there somehow,” he went on to describe.
He further said that the people living in European countries cultivate a glorified image of themselves and try to hide the struggles behind living abroad. However, some are aware of the struggles but still want to go there anyway. This ambition of a better life and denial is what encourages the Bangladeshis to take the risks of going to Europe illegally.
Regarding the prevention of illegal migration, he said that in order to deal with this organized crime, organized efforts, awareness of immigration authorities, collaboration with different countries and their intelligence agencies are required.
“When a migrant of our country is going to Libya or Tunisia, their purpose of going to a country where there is no employment opportunity, should be questioned. By doing so, they can be stopped during the immigration procedure in Bangladesh,” he added.
Shakirul Islam, Chairman of grassroots migrant rights organisation Ovibashi Karmi Unnayan Program (OKUP) echoed the same.
He told Bangladesh Post that the people of the country think that their lives will change drastically if they can go to Europe at any cost. Human trafficking gangs, who are active at the fieled level, stoke this desire of Bangladeshis through different techniques. They believe that though some people die during the journey, others are able to make it to Europe.
Along with initiatives such as creating awareness through long-term programmes, he suggested ensuring punishment for the human traffickers.
“According to the Prevention and Suppression of Human Trafficking Act, 2012, an organized gang of traffickers will receive a minimum of seven years of imprisonment to a maximum of death penalty if found guilty. However, till now, the trial procedure of no cases has been completed. Examples have to be created to prevent illegal migration by bringing the human traffickers under the law,” he added.