309 more Bangladeshis return home from Libya

300 Bangladeshis return home from Libya. Image collected via UNB_11zon

Dhaka, Oct 10 — A total of 309 irregular Bangladeshi migrants have returned home from Libya under a joint initiative by the Embassy of Bangladesh in Tripoli, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment, with support from the Libyan government and the International Organization for Migration (IOM).

They were brought back to Bangladesh on Friday via a chartered flight, according to a press release issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Most of the returnees had entered Libya after falling prey to human traffickers who lured them with promises of illegal migration to Europe through the Mediterranean route. Many of them were subjected to abduction and torture by traffickers at different times while in Libya.

Officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, other relevant government agencies, and IOM welcomed the returnees at the airport. The ministry urged them to share their experiences to raise public awareness about the dangers of illegal migration.

Each returnee received food supplies and basic medical assistance from IOM.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Bangladesh Embassy in Libya, the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment, and IOM are continuing coordinated efforts to ensure the safe repatriation of other Bangladeshis detained in various Libyan detention centers. - UNB