In Search of a Better Life, Libya Becomes a Nightmare for Many Bangladeshi Youth Dreaming of Europe

In Search of a Better Life, Libya Becomes a Nightmare for Many Bangladeshi Youth Dreaming of Europe

"They told me he would reach Italy. But what I received was a phone call—informing me that my brother had died of suffocation, trapped in the hull of a fuel-filled boat, along with eight others."

These words are not lines from a story. They are a painful reality—a truth that is now consuming countless Bangladeshi families. Caught in the illusion of a better life in Europe, they are losing their loved ones—either in the deserts of Libya or through dangerous sea routes to Europe. For years, Libya has been portrayed as a bridge to Europe. But for thousands of Bangladeshis, this bridge has turned into a merciless trap of captivity, torture, and death.

A large portion of Bangladeshi migrants enter Libya through Turkey, while some also travel via the UAE and Egypt. Most of these migrants are young, between the ages of 20 and 30. They spend between 500,000 to 1.6 million BDT—by selling land or taking high-interest loans. They believe this investment will secure a better future for them. But what they actually purchase is their own captivity.

A 2024 report by BRAC’s Migration Program reveals some alarming facts:

• 63% of illegal Bangladeshi migrants are forcibly detained in Libya.

• 78% suffer physical abuse—beaten, starved, and denied medical care.

• Many families watch videos of their sons being tortured, even after paying money. New demands for more money are made.

• Some young people have their nails pulled out on camera. Many slowly die from a lack of medical attention. Even after giving all their money, many families lose their children.

Mass Graves on the Sea Route
Many of them never even reach this horrific destination.
In January 2025, a boat sank off the coast of Libya, leaving 56 migrants missing. At least 23 Bangladeshi bodies washed ashore. A month before that, several Bangladeshis suffocated in a boat's fuel tank—locked inside.
According to Frontex, more than 67,000 migrants crossed from Libya and Tunisia to Europe in 2024, many of whom were Bangladeshi. But many never set foot on European soil. This is not a series of isolated incidents—this is a well-organized business.

Human Trafficking Becomes an Industry
Human trafficking has now become an industry. Local brokers in Bangladesh coordinate with Libyan traffickers. In 2025, a ring was caught trafficking 17 Bangladeshis to Libya. Libyan authorities revealed that migrants are bought and sold in detention centers. Sometimes they are even returned to traffickers, posing as "guards" or "helpers."
When someone tells you, “You’ll go to Europe via Libya,” know that they are not showing you a dream. They may unknowingly be pushing you toward death.

Wrong Boats Don’t Take You to Europe. They Sink You—On the Dangerous Sea Route.

Let your dreams be safe, realistic—not at the cost of your life.

It is our collective responsibility to ensure that Bangladeshi youth do not lose their lives.

• Columnist, Rayhan Kabir, Migrant Rights Specialist