Tuhin SarwarBy : Tuhin Sarwar –
Lead: Global Spotlight on Bangladesh’s Migration Crisis
October 2025 brought Bangladesh’s irregular migration crisis into international focus. On 10 October, Frontex reported that while EU irregular crossings fell 22% in the first nine months of 2025, the Central Mediterranean route remained among the busiest. Bangladeshi nationals emerged as one of the top observed nationalities.
Simultaneously, distressing reports from Libya highlighted dire humanitarian conditions. A group of 108 Bangladeshi youths detained near Banqina prison reportedly survived on just 70 grams of food per day amid severe water scarcity (Jugantor).
By 24 October 2025, 309 Bangladeshis were repatriated via a special charter flight coordinated by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the Bangladesh Embassy in Tripoli, revealing a systemic trafficking-and-ransom ecosystem exploiting migrant desperation.
1. Repatriation and Return Operations
Repatriation missions were critical in October 2025:
24 October: 309 Bangladeshis returned to Dhaka through a charter flight coordinated by IOM and the Bangladesh government (BSS).
28 October: Another 174 migrants were repatriated from Libya (The Business Standard).
Most of these individuals traveled to Libya under the promise of onward passage to Europe but were trapped in kidnapping, ransom, and forced labor cycles. Families often paid 12 lakh Taka or more to secure the release of relatives, underscoring the economic exploitation inherent in these networks.
2. Detention and Humanitarian Crisis in Libya
Local testimonies shed light on gruesome conditions in Libyan detention centers:
On 10 October 2025, detainees Laden Päda and Akash sent notes claiming 108 Bangladeshis, including 70 youths from Gaurandi, survived on 70 grams of food per day amid acute water shortages (Jugantor).
16 October: Following the release of Mehedi Hasan, families protested at the residence of alleged trafficker Zakir Molla.
Traffickers reportedly perpetuate a cycle of fear and ransom, releasing select detainees to maintain control.
While these reports are primarily from local sources, they highlight the human toll of irregular migration and trafficking networks.
3. Frontex and EU Border Trends
Frontex data provides a quantitative backdrop for understanding migration flows:
Q1 2025: EU external border detections fell by 31% (~33,600) (Frontex).
H1 2025: Irregular crossings dropped 20% to 75,900, with the Central Mediterranean route accounting for ~39% of arrivals. Bangladesh, Egypt, and Afghanistan were top nationalities.
First 7 months 2025: Total crossings declined 18% (~95,200).
Despite overall declines, the Central Mediterranean corridor remains a focal point, sustaining high migrant volumes and concentrated exploitation.
4. Italy’s Enforcement and Legal Framework
October 2025 also saw Italy intensify border enforcement:
The government, led by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, continued strict measures to prevent unauthorized entry.
Repatriation of 309 Bangladeshis underscores enhanced deportation coordination.
Migrants are vulnerable to rejected asylum claims, procedural errors, and deportations for minor offenses.
Italy enforces the 2017 EU–Bangladesh agreement as a legal anchor for repatriations, now applied rigorously.
This demonstrates that legal frameworks significantly shape migration risks beyond sea crossings.
5. Institutional Weaknesses in Bangladesh
Bangladesh’s response highlights structural gaps:
The Human Trafficking Prevention & Suppression Act 2012 provides severe penalties for organized trafficking, including life imprisonment or death.
Local authorities often remain passive, citing “no complaint filed” in rural areas.
Traffickers maintain control through fear and intimidation, suppressing reporting and prosecution.
Weak enforcement, judicial delays, and insufficient witness protection allow trafficking networks to operate with impunity.
6. Psychosocial and Reintegration Challenges
Returnees face long-term consequences:
IOM provides travel allowances, food, and basic medical care, but psychological trauma often remains unaddressed.
Effective reintegration requires mental health services, vocational training, peer-support networks, and stigma reduction to ensure sustainable livelihoods.
7. Recommendations and Strategic Interventions
1. Full enforcement of anti-trafficking law: Expedite prosecutions, asset forfeiture, and target key traffickers.
2. Strengthen victim protection: Anonymity, safe reporting channels, and mobile legal clinics.
3. Psychosocial rehabilitation: Regional care centers, vocational programs, and peer-support initiatives.
4. International cooperation: MoUs with Libya, Italy, and transit states for joint investigations and evidence sharing.
5. Migration awareness and legal literacy: Inform prospective migrants of asylum procedures, appeal deadlines, and legal options to discourage exploitative routes.
6. Transparency and oversight: Invite UN, EU, and civil society audits of detention, repatriation, and trafficking investigations.
Conclusion: Breaking the Cycle of Impunity
October 2025 exposes a trafficking ecosystem thriving in systemic gaps. The Central Mediterranean corridor remains perilous, driven by economic desperation, institutional failure, and ruthless extortion, rather than voluntary choice.
Unless Bangladesh and international partners enforce laws, protect rights, and increase transparency, cycles of detention, ransom, and abuse will continue.
Sources: Frontex, BSS, The Business Standard, Jugantor
