A total of 173 Bangladeshi nationals who had voluntarily sought repatriation from Libya were brought back to Dhaka early on December 1 through coordinated efforts of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Bangladesh Embassy in Tripoli, and the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment.
The returnees arrived at 6:00am at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on a chartered Buraq Air flight, supported by the Libyan government and the International Organization for Migration (IOM), according to a foreign ministry press release.
Official sources said most of the returnees had illegally entered Libya attempting to reach Europe via the Mediterranean Sea with the help of human traffickers. Many reported being kidnapped, tortured, and abused at various stages during their stay in the conflict-affected country.
Representatives from the foreign ministry, expatriates’ welfare ministry, and IOM were present at the airport to receive the migrants. The foreign ministry urged the returnees to share their first-hand experiences of trafficking and dangerous journeys to help raise awareness against irregular migration.
Upon arrival, IOM provided each migrant with travel allowances, food supplies, and basic medical assistance.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Bangladesh Embassy in Libya, the Expatriates’ Welfare Ministry, and IOM continue coordinated efforts to secure the safe repatriation of remaining Bangladeshi detainees in various Libyan detention centers.
