20 Bangladeshi teens return home after two years of detention in Myanmar
After being detained in Myanmar for nearly two years, 20 Bangladeshi teens, who were victims of human trafficking, were brought back to the country today.
They returned aboard the Bangladesh Navy ship Samudra Avijan, which had gone to Myanmar to deliver humanitarian aid and participate in earthquake rescue operations.
The returnees include youths as young as 16 and 17, many of whom are from Ukhiya in Cox's Bazar.
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One of the victims, Mohammad Hashem, shared his harrowing experience, saying, "The traffickers sold me to an agent who took me to a secret place on top of a hill in Teknaf. Later, I boarded a boat leaving Teknaf for Malaysia. There were many others. After floating in the sea for seven days, the Myanmar Army arrested us and put us in jail."
According to Rear Admiral Mir Ershad Ali, Commander of the Chattogram Naval Area, Bangladesh Navy, the youths were imprisoned at the Jubilant Rehabilitation Centers in Myanmar on charges of illegal entry.
"Promising good jobs and a better life, a racket of human traffickers sent them to Myanmar. They were imprisoned there for about two years," he said.
He added that recent diplomatic efforts, combined with Bangladesh's support in earthquake rescue and relief in Myanmar, helped pave the way for their release.
"Bangladesh Armed Forces' humanitarian assistance during Myanmar's recent crisis conveyed a positive diplomatic message. This led the Myanmar authorities to agree to send the detained Bangladeshis back home."
Alongside the rescued youths, 55 members of the Bangladesh Armed Forces also returned today.
They had been deployed in Myanmar to assist in earthquake response and medical missions.
Additionally, naval personnel who earlier delivered 120 tonnes of relief materials to Yangon Port on 8 April were also part of the returning team.
Upon arrival at Chattogram Naval Base, the rescued Bangladeshis were vaccinated and handed over to their families through the district administration in the evening.
