A total of 174 Bangladeshi nationals detained in Libya were repatriated to Bangladesh on Tuesday morning.
The irregular Bangladeshi migrants arrived in Dhaka at around 5:15am on a Buraq Airlines flight from Libya.
Their repatriation was coordinated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Bangladesh Embassy in Libya and the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment, in cooperation with the Libyan authorities and the International Organization for Migration (IOM).
The Bangladeshis had been detained at the Ganfouda Detention Centre in Benghazi and the Tajoura Detention Centre in Tripoli.
Officials said most of the returnees had entered Libya with the intention of reaching Europe illegally by sea, after being lured by human traffickers. Many of them were reportedly victims of kidnapping and torture at different times during their stay in Libya, according to officials.
Representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, other relevant government agencies and the IOM welcomed the returnees at the airport.
The Foreign Ministry urged the repatriated citizens to share their experiences with others to raise awareness about the risks of illegal migration and human trafficking.
The IOM provided each returnee with travel assistance, food, basic medical support and temporary accommodation where necessary.
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 repatriation of Bangladeshi nationals detained at various centres across Libya.
