165 Bangladeshis repatriated from Libya

A total of 165 Bangladeshi nationals have returned home from Libya with the assistance of Bangladesh Embassy, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment, the Libyan government and International Organization for Migration (IOM).

The returnees arrived in Bangladesh at 5:30 AM on Friday aboard a Buraq Air flight. Of the group, 143 had been detained at Ganfouda Detention Centre in Benghazi, while the remaining 22 were distressed, vulnerable or physically ill and had voluntarily expressed a wish to return home from Benghazi and surrounding areas.

Officials said most of the repatriated migrants had entered Libya irregularly after being lured and assisted by human traffickers while attempting to reach Europe by sea. Many reported having been kidnapped or subjected to torture at different times during their stay in Libya.

Representatives from Ministry of Foreign Affairs, other relevant ministries and International Organization for Migration received the returnees at the airport. 

The Foreign Ministry encouraged the returnees to share their experiences to raise public awareness about the dangers of irregular migration.

The IOM provided the returnees with travel allowances, food supplies, primary medical care, and temporary accommodation where needed.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that, in collaboration with Bangladesh Embassy in Libya, Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment and the IOM, efforts are ongoing to ensure the safe repatriation of Bangladeshi nationals detained in other detention centres across Libya.

SH