Migration aspirants, hoping for a better life abroad, are also regularly trapped by traffickers. Cox’s Bazar has become a major route for human trafficking by sea. Land routes, especially through Jashore, are commonly used for trafficking women and children. Recent reports also highlight trafficking through the Someshwari River in Mymensingh. For trafficking to Europe and America, air routes are initially used. Many migrants are taken to the Middle East and then to Libya, from where they attempt to cross the Mediterranean Sea to reach Europe. Tragically, many lose their lives during this perilous journey.
In many cases, traffickers hold migrants hostage and extort large sums of money from their families. Those who cannot pay are subjected to brutal torture, and some are even killed. Additionally, many individuals trafficked by sea to Southeast Asian countries are sold into forced labor or red-light areas.
Ayesha Akter (pseudonym) is from Rakhine, Myanmar. When the military burned down her home, she fled to Bangladesh as part of the Rohingya community. She took refuge in a camp in Ukhiya, Cox’s Bazar. There, she fell into the trap of local traffickers. They lured her with the promise of reaching Malaysia for just BDT 25,000. They claimed she could earn a lot of money there. After paying the amount, she was illegally transported to Malaysia by boat. Upon arrival, she discovered she had been sold. The traffickers told her it cost them around BDT 200,000 to bring her to Malaysia. They recovered this amount by selling her. After much effort, she managed to inform her family. However, her chances of returning home remain slim.
Not only Rohingya refugees but also Bangladeshis are frequently falling victim to such human trafficking networks. Nasima (pseudonym) worked at a garment factory in Jatrabari. She lost her job during COVID-19 and struggled to find new work. In her vulnerable state, she was trapped by traffickers. Promised a job in Saudi Arabia, she was taken to Sharsha upazila in Jashore. She was then trafficked to Basirhat, India, via the Benapole border. Later, she was sold to a brothel in Kolkata. With the help of an NGO, she returned to Bangladesh. Law enforcement later arrested three members of the international human trafficking ring from Sharsha.
As reported by the Global Organized Crime Index, human trafficking has become the largest transnational crime in Bangladesh. In the most recent cross-border crime index of the organization, Bangladesh receives a score of 8 out of 10 regarding the seriousness of human trafficking. The Rohingya crisis has emerged as a key factor contributing to the rise in human trafficking from Bangladesh.
The law enforcement agencies in the country have noted similar findings. Police sources indicate that young Rohingyas are increasingly pursuing migration for improved living conditions, attempting to flee the unpredictability of the camps. Consequently, numerous trafficking networks are currently operating in and around Cox's Bazar. Brokers are smuggling both Rohingyas and Bangladeshis to countries such as Malaysia, Indonesia, and Thailand with assurances of employment. Cox's Bazar has emerged as the primary pathway for human trafficking by sea from Bangladesh.
It is learned that brokers associated with human trafficking ring first bring migrants from different parts of the country to Cox's Bazar, promising them jobs in Malaysia, Thailand, and Indonesia. They are then transferred by boat to large-engine boats or ships. The brokers earn a fee for each individual from the primary traffickers. In the past, these migrants were abducted and held in covert detention facilities located in the jungles of Thailand or Malaysia. If they failed to pay, the smuggled migrants were locked in deep jungle prisons, tortured, and killed. Nevertheless, following the finding of mass graves in Thailand's woodlands in 2015, where Bangladeshi and Rohingya migrants were discarded, the Thai authorities moved to address trafficking. Numerous prominent political figures and military leaders were apprehended, including individuals from Bangladesh and Myanmar. Following that event, human trafficking along this route temporarily ceased. However, traffickers have recently resumed their activities.
Rather than abducting for ransom, traffickers have altered their strategies. Numerous trafficked individuals are currently being sold as slaves in various industries or red-light areas in Malaysia and Indonesia. Police report that traffickers demand between BDT 20,000 and 25,000 from the families of the targeted Rohingyas for each individual. Nevertheless, the expense of sending an individual overseas is approximately BDT 150,000. Each trafficked individual is subsequently sold internationally for BDT 400,000-500,000.
Based on secret information, the police raided on the night of December 29 in a temporary tent near the Kochchopia Cemetery in Teknaf. They found 66 Bangladeshis and Rohingyas gathered there for trafficking. Among the trafficked individuals, seven were Bangladeshis, and the rest were members of the Rohingya community. Out of the 66, most were women and children, totaling 48. The police managed to arrest five traffickers during the raid.
It is reported that all the individuals gathered for trafficking were extremely poor and lived marginalized lives. They were lured with promises of better living conditions, higher-paying jobs, etc., and had been brought to this location over 10-15 days. They were being trafficked to Malaysia for forced labor and various forms of exploitation.
According to police sources, traffickers are now using several points along the coast of Cox's Bazar to send people to Malaysia by sea on trawlers. These points include Shamlapur, Shilkhali, Rajarchhara, Noakhali Para, Jahazpura, Shahpuree Island, Katabonia, Mithapanir Chhara, Jaliyapalong, Inani, Himchari, Reju Khali, Kutubdia Para, Khurshkul in Cox's Bazar city, Choufoldi, and Moheshkhali's Sonadia and Kutubjom. Several residents and Rohingya leaders from different camps in Teknaf are involved in the trafficking. Additionally, some Rohingya individuals living in Malaysia are also involved in the trafficking network. Recently, the police, BGB, and Coast Guard have been conducting regular operations, arresting many brokers and victims.
Mohammad Giyas Uddin, Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Teknaf Model Thana, stated, "A record number of traffickers and brokers have been arrested at the Teknaf border this year. Surveillance and operations are ongoing at the trafficking points. All involved individuals are being charged and sent to prison through the court. Especially, the Rohingya camps have become hotspots for human trafficking, and we are working there as well."
The Global Organized Crime Index's report on human trafficking from Bangladesh mentions that Bangladeshi women and girls are trafficked for forced labor and sexual exploitation. In many cases, this happens through arranged marriages. Within the country, both adults and children are exploited through false job promises, debt-based forced labor, and physical abuse at legal or illegal brothels and private hotels. Vulnerable groups, particularly religious minorities, and Rohingya refugees are targeted for sexual and labor trafficking. Additionally, organ trafficking is also widespread.
Currently, the highest number of human trafficking incidents in Bangladesh occur through the Jashore border. Police have gathered information about several syndicates operating in Jashore’s Sharsha Upazila. Several villages in Bahadurpur, Putkhali, and Benapole unions, which are located close to the border, are seeing a rise in the trafficking of women and children.
Binay Krishna Mallick, executive director of the human rights organization Rights Jessore, said, "In 2024, we rescued 80 people from being trafficked to India. A total of 32 people have been rescued in the last two months. In addition to Jashore, there are reports of many human trafficking incidents now taking place through the Maheshpur border in Jhenaidah and the Kalaroa border in Satkhira."
"The government needs to adopt a vigilant stance to prevent human trafficking. Additionally, the incidents of human trafficking from Bangladesh to international routes are mainly due to unsafe migration systems. The Ministry of Home Affairs and Foreign Affairs has important responsibilities. Before approving recruiting agencies, thorough verification of their information should be done," he added.
Lieutenant Colonel Saifullah Siddiqui, BGB Jashore Officer, said, "We are alert to prevent human trafficking. For this, we have increased surveillance at the border."
Mymensingh is becoming another major route for human trafficking to India. Several human trafficking gangs operating from the district, crossing the Someshwari River into Meghalaya, India, have been identified by law enforcement agencies. The highest number of trafficking incidents occur through the villages of South Maizpara, Porakandulia, and Ghoshgaon in the Dhobaura Upazila of the district. It is reported that victims are tortured in Meghalaya’s Baghmara area to extort money. In some cases, the victims are not freed after the expected amount is collected. Instead, they are sold to other trafficking rings.
The primary path for human trafficking from Bangladesh to Europe is via Libya. Migrants are brought to Libya through the Middle East. From then on, they tried navigating the rough Mediterranean Sea to reach Europe. Numerous individuals perish along the way. Some are even abducted rather than being placed on boats. The traffickers subsequently request substantial amounts of money from their relatives. The abducted individuals suffer extreme torture, with some ultimately dying.
On January 28, 29, and 30, 23 corpses were discovered drifting near the shore of Libya. They were all from Bangladesh. Of these 23, 11 came from Rajoir Upazila in Madaripur. They fell prey to human trafficking while attempting to migrate to Europe via brokers. On January 31, two young individuals from Bhanga Upazila in Faridpur were shot dead in Libya. Their photos were shared with their families through WhatsApp. The traffickers lured them to Libya, claiming they would be sent to Italy. They requested a significant sum of money from their relatives. Despite having paid the money, when they were unable to give more, the two young men were murdered.
Human rights advocate Nur Khan Liton asserts that political leaders and certain police officials are implicated in offenses such as human trafficking. This complicates efforts to stop such offenses. He informed Bonik Barta, "Political neglect allows these crimes to occur. Up to now, the state has not taken any measures to prevent human traffickers. These offenses have occurred for quite a while, but how many instances have been successfully prosecuted? In certain instances, some law enforcement officials participate in the trafficking process. They provide financial advantages and assist in ensuring the trafficking process is completed securely. "We have encountered these problems before."
As per the Global Organized Crime Index released by the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime, supported by the U.S. and the European Union, human trafficking ranks as the foremost transnational crime in Bangladesh, earning a score of 8 out of 10. The second rank is for trafficking for sexual exploitation, earning a score of 6.5. In the third position, sharing the same score, are offenses such as robbery, extortion, and drug trafficking. Next in line are wildlife poaching and trafficking, which received a score of 5.5. Arms trafficking offenses are rated at 5. The identical score is likewise assigned to offenses involving the destruction and trade of forest resources. The crime score for the sale of contaminated goods is 4.5. In the same way, identical scores are assigned for heroin trafficking and financial offenses.
In addition to human trafficking, Bangladesh ranks high on the Global Organized Crime Index for several other crimes. Among them are robbery and extortion. The report states that extortion is a major issue in Bangladesh. Various groups extort money through threats and violence from businesses, individuals, and even refugees.
The National Liberation Front of Tripura, an Indian separatist group, raises funds through kidnapping and extortion. Criminal gangs active in the Rohingya refugee camps are also involved in abductions. In Dhaka, organized extortion rings are operating. Extortion has made many small and medium-sized businesses reluctant to pay taxes.
The report identifies arms trafficking in Bangladesh as a medium-level problem. It states that the Cox's Bazar route has become strategic for arms trafficking to India and Nepal. Local criminal groups manage a small arms market from Myanmar. These small weapons are mainly used to protect the interests of political elites, with allegations of armed cadres within mainstream political parties. Political violence and murders in Bangladesh support these claims.
Rohingya refugees, lacking alternative livelihoods, are becoming involved in the arms trade.
The destruction and trafficking of forest resources in Bangladesh involve illegal logging, land grabbing, and deliberate arson. Timber trafficking along the India and Myanmar borders is also a significant problem. While the Bangladesh government participates in international events and training to combat plant and wildlife crimes, these issues are not treated as a major policy priority at the domestic level.