44 more migrants repatriated from Europe

Another 44 undocumented and irregular Bangladeshi migrants have been repatriated from Europe, including 40 from Greece and four from Cyprus.
 
With their return, the total number of Bangladeshis repatriated from European countries under an agreement with the European nations has reached approximately 5,000, according to BRAC. 

The number of Bangladeshis returning mainly from Italy, Greece, Germany, Cyprus, Romania, France and Malta nears 5,000

The 44 returnees arrived at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka at around 9:15am on Wednesday aboard a special chartered flight (N05542).  

One of them is a woman.

At the airport, BRAC's Migration Programme, with support from Civil Aviation Security and the Expatriate Welfare Desk, provided the returnees with emergency assistance, food, counselling and financial support to help them reach their respective homes.

Shariful Hasan, Associate Director of BRAC's Migration Programme and Youth Platform, said the 44 returnees received food and immediate financial assistance under the Prottasha-2 project, jointly funded by the European Union (EU) and BRAC. They will also receive counselling, training and further financial assistance to help them rebuild their livelihoods.

Shariful Hasan said Bangladeshis had long ranked among the leading groups entering Italy after crossing the Mediterranean from Libya. According to this year's data, Bangladeshis also ranked first among those entering Greece through the same route. 

He warned that irregular migration through dangerous sea routes was frequently resulting in deaths, while European countries were increasingly tightening their immigration policies.

Under the new policies, irregular migrants are being returned quickly, while their asylum applications are being rejected, he said, adding that many people spend Tk 30 lakh to Tk 40 lakh to reach Europe but ultimately gain nothing. 

He also revealed that one of the latest returnees had previously encouraged others through TikTok to travel to Europe through irregular channels.

Urging greater awareness among prospective migrants, he advised them to avoid dangerous sea routes and pursue overseas employment through legal channels after acquiring appropriate skills.

Earlier, on October 23, another 35 Bangladeshis were repatriated from Italy and Greece on a special flight. In 2017, Bangladesh signed a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) agreement with European countries to facilitate the repatriation of undocumented and irregular Bangladeshi migrants.

Since then, approximately 5,000 Bangladeshis have returned under the arrangement, with significant numbers coming from Italy, Greece, Germany, Cyprus, Romania, France and Malta.