174 Bangladeshis return home from Libya
Most of the returnees had reportedly entered Libya illegally through human traffickers, aiming to reach Europe by sea.
A total of 174 Bangladeshi nationals voluntarily returned home from Libya early today (1 June) with the assistance of the government and the International Organization for Migration (IOM).
The irregular Bangladeshi migrants who sought voluntary repatriation arrived in Dhaka at around 5:10am on a Buraq Airlines flight, according to a press release issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The repatriation was coordinated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Bangladesh Embassy in Libya, and the Ministry of Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment, with support from Libyan government and the IOM.
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Most of the returnees had reportedly entered Libya illegally through human traffickers, aiming to reach Europe by sea. Many alleged they faced abduction and torture while in Libya.
Officials from the foreign ministry, other relevant ministries and the IOM received the returnees at the airport.
The foreign ministry has encouraged them to share their experiences to warn others about the risks of illegal migration and human trafficking.
The IOM provided each returnee with travel expenses, food assistance, primary medical care and temporary accommodation where necessary.
The foreign ministry said the government is continuing work with the Bangladesh Embassy in Libya, the Ministry of Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment and the IOM to bring back other Bangladeshis currently held in Libyan detention centres.
