170 more Bangladeshis repatriated from Libya

A total of 170 Bangladeshi nationals were repatriated from
Libya today (19 May) as authorities renewed warnings against human trafficking
and irregular migration through dangerous sea routes to Europe.
The returnees, who had expressed
willingness to come back home, arrived in Dhaka from Benghazi by a Buraq Air
flight at around 5am, reads a foreign ministry's press release.
The repatriation was carried out
with the cooperation of the Libyan government and the International
Organization for Migration (IOM) through coordinated efforts by the Bangladesh
Embassy in Libya, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of
Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment.
According to officials, most of the repatriated Bangladeshis had illegally
entered Libya after being lured by human traffickers with promises of reaching
Europe by sea.
Many of them reportedly became
victims of abduction and torture during their stay in Libya.
Officials from the Ministry of
Foreign Affairs, relevant government agencies and the IOM received the
returnees at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport.
The foreign ministry urged the
returnees to share their traumatic experiences to help raise public awareness
about the risks of irregular migration and human trafficking.
The IOM provided each returnee with travel allowances, food assistance, primary
medical care 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 return of Bangladeshi nationals detained at
various detention centres in Libya.















