One hundred and seventy four more Bangladeshi migrants were repatriated from Libya on Tuesday through a joint initiative of the Bangladesh government, Libyan authorities and the International Organization for Migration.
The returned arrived at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 5:10am aboard a Buraq Air flight from Tripoli, according to a foreign ministry’s press release.
The repatriation was facilitated through coordinated efforts of the Bangladesh embassy in Libya, the ministry of foreign affairs, the ministry of expatriates’ welfare and overseas employment, the government of Libya and the IOM.
Most of the returned had reportedly entered Libya irregularly with the assistance of human traffickers while attempting to reach Europe through sea routes.
Many of them allegedly became victims of abduction, exploitation and various forms of abuse during their stay in the North African country, said the release.
Officials from the ministry of foreign affairs, relevant government agencies and the IOM received the returned at the airport upon their arrival.
As part of efforts to raise awareness about the risks of irregular migration, the ministry of foreign affairs urged the returned to share their experiences with the public.
The IOM provided each repatriated migrant with travel assistance, food supplies, primary healthcare services and temporary accommodation where required.
The ministry of foreign affairs, the Bangladesh embassy in Libya, the ministry of expatriates’ welfare and overseas employment and the IOM are continuing their joint efforts to ensure the safe return of Bangladeshi nationals currently held in various detention centres across Libya.
