171 Bangladeshis return home from Libya
Collected Photo
A total of 171 Bangladeshis who had been detained at the Qanfoodah Detention Center in Benghazi, Libya, have been brought back to the country. They arrived in Dhaka at 6:22 am on Thursday on a flight operated by Buraq Air.
Their voluntary repatriation was arranged by the Libyan government and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Bangladesh Embassy in Libya and the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment.
Most of the repatriated Bangladeshis reportedly entered Libya after being lured and assisted by human traffickers while attempting to reach Europe illegally by sea. Many of them were allegedly abducted and tortured in Libya at different times.
Officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, other relevant ministries and the International Organization for Migration welcomed the repatriated Bangladeshi nationals at the airport.
To raise public awareness, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs requested them to share their harrowing experiences with others.
The International Organization for Migration provided each returnee with travel expenses, some food items, primary medical care and temporary accommodation if needed.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Bangladesh Embassy in Libya, the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment and the International Organization for Migration are continuing to work together to ensure the safe repatriation of Bangladeshi nationals detained at various detention centers in Libya.
