44 more Bangladeshi migrants returned from Europe

Another 44 Bangladeshis who traveled to Europe undocumented and irregularly have been returned home, including 40 sent back from Greece and four from Cyprus.

According to immigration police and airport sources, they landed at Dhaka’s Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 9:15 am on Wednesday on a special chartered flight.

At the airport, BRAC’s Migration Program, in cooperation with Civil Aviation Security and the Expatriate Welfare Desk, provided emergency assistance, counseling, and financial support for the returnees to reach their respective homes.

Representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Expatriate Welfare Desk were present at the time.

BRAC Associate Director (Migration Program and Youth Platform) Shariful Hasan said, “On the morning, 44 Bangladeshis returned from Europe. Among them, there is also one woman. All of them were provided with food and financial assistance at the airport under the Prottasha-2 project, jointly funded by the European Union (EU) and BRAC. Later, after counseling and training, they will be provided with financial support.

“Bangladeshis were at the top for so long in terms of entering Italy by crossing the Mediterranean Sea from Libya. According to this year’s data, Bangladeshis are also first in entering Greece by crossing the Mediterranean from Libya. Loss of life often occurs while trying to reach Europe via sea routes in this manner.

“Europe is getting tougher day by day against irregular migration. Under the new migration policy, those who enter Europe through irregular routes are being quickly sent back to their home country and their asylum applications are being rejected. In other words, even after spending Tk 30-40 lakh, the ultimate result is zero. Yet people think that simply reaching Europe somehow will solve all problems. This misconception must be broken.”

Earlier on 23 October, BRAC reported that another 35 Bangladeshis were returned from Italy and Greece on a special flight.