Bangladesh repatriates 171 nationals detained in Libya

A group of 171 Bangladeshi nationals who had been held at the Ganfuda Detention Centre in Benghazi, Libya, arrived back in Bangladesh on Thursday as part of an assisted voluntary repatriation programme.

The returnees landed at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka at 6:22 am aboard a Buraq Air flight. The operation was jointly coordinated by Bangladesh’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Bangladesh Embassy in Libya, the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment, the Libyan authorities and the International Organization for Migration (IOM).

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, many of those who returned had travelled to Libya through irregular routes organised by human trafficking networks while attempting to reach Europe by crossing the Mediterranean Sea.

During their time in Libya, a number of them were reportedly subjected to abduction, exploitation and other forms of abuse.

Government officials, together with representatives from the IOM, welcomed the returnees upon their arrival in Dhaka.

Authorities encouraged those returning to share their experiences with their communities to help discourage irregular migration and raise awareness of the risks associated with human trafficking.

The IOM provided immediate support to the returnees, including travel assistance, meals, basic medical services and temporary accommodation for those requiring short-term shelter after their arrival.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it remains engaged with the Bangladesh Embassy in Libya, the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment and the IOM to facilitate the safe return of other Bangladeshi nationals currently being held in detention centres across Libya.

Bangladesh has continued to work with international partners to assist its citizens stranded in Libya, where many migrants face difficult conditions after attempting dangerous journeys in search of employment or onwards travel to Europe.

The latest repatriation forms part of ongoing efforts to ensure vulnerable Bangladeshis can return home safely while strengthening public awareness of the dangers linked to irregular migration and human trafficking.