A total of 19 Bangladeshi nationals, who had been residing illegally in Tunisia, were safely repatriated to Bangladesh on Thursday morning via flight EK-582, according to a press release from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The voluntary repatriation process was coordinated by the Bangladesh Embassy in Libya, in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment, and the International Organization for Migration (IOM).
The returnees had entered Tunisia illegally through human traffickers, intending to migrate to Europe via the Mediterranean Sea. During their time in Tunisia, many of the migrants faced significant hardships, including abduction and abuse.
Upon their arrival in Bangladesh, officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, IOM, and other relevant agencies welcomed the returnees. They highlighted the dangers of illegal migration and urged the public to learn from the returnees’ harrowing experiences, stressing the importance of avoiding such perilous routes.
The Ministry also encouraged the returnees to share their stories to raise awareness and discourage others from attempting the same dangerous journey.
In recognition of their struggles, IOM provided each returnee with six thousand Taka, food packages, medical assistance, and, if necessary, temporary housing arrangements.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, alongside the Bangladesh Embassy in Libya, the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment, and the IOM, is continuing efforts to ensure the safe return of Bangladeshi nationals detained in Tunisia’s detention centers.