174 more Bangladeshis return home from Libya
The returnees arrived at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on a Buraq Air flight at around 5:00am on Thursday
ATT Desk Report
A total of 174 Bangladeshi nationals who had been stranded in Libya after migrating there illegally returned home early Thursday under a voluntary repatriation programme jointly implemented by the government, the Bangladesh mission in Libya, and the International Organization for Migration (IOM).
The returnees arrived at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on a Buraq Air flight at around 5:00am, according to a press release issued by the foreign ministry.
The repatriation was carried out with the support of the Libyan government and the IOM through coordinated efforts by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Bangladesh Embassy in Libya, and the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment.
Officials said most of the returnees had entered Libya through irregular channels after being lured by human traffickers with false promises of reaching Europe by sea.
Many reportedly became victims of abduction, torture and other forms of abuse during their stay in Libya.
Officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, relevant government agencies and the IOM received the returnees at the airport.
As part of the reintegration support programme, the IOM provided each returnee with travel expenses, food assistance, primary medical care and temporary accommodation where necessary.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs also urged the returnees to share their experiences to help raise public awareness about the risks of irregular migration and human trafficking.
Officials said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Bangladesh Embassy in Libya, the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment, and the IOM are continuing joint efforts to ensure the safe return of Bangladeshi nationals currently held at different detention centres in Libya.
