Human trafficking must end

Recently, we were shocked to learn about the tragic murder of 26 Bangladeshi workers in Libya, which brought renewed attention to the subject of human trafficking. Human trafficking is a serious transnational crime. People who aspire to work abroad are mainly targeted by the traffickers. A significant portion of Bangladesh's trafficking victims are men recruited for work overseas with fraudulent employment offers. They are subsequently exploited under conditions of forced labour or debt bondage. Women and children from Bangladesh are also trafficked for exploitation.

Speaking of the Libya incident, even though the authorities have reportedly arrested the ringleader of the human trafficking gang responsible for some of the Bangladeshis killed and injured, it is not enough at all. The authorities must crack down on the local agents who lured the poor from different districts with the promise of high-paying jobs abroad. They must be punished severely for their crimes. Also, we must pressure the Libyan government to immediately arrest those responsible for killing our fellow countrymen.