A total of 123 more undocumented Bangladeshi nationals who had expressed willingness to return home voluntarily from Libya have been repatriated to Bangladesh today.
The returnees, mostly victims of human trafficking, arrived at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 9:50 am on a special Buraq Air chartered flight (UZ 0222)m said a foreign ministry's press release here.
The repatriation took place under a coordinated initiative led by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Embassy of Bangladesh in Tripoli, the Ministry of Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment, and the International Organization for Migration (IOM).
Upon arrival, they were received by officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment, and the IOM.
Most of the repatriated individuals had entered Libya illegally, lured by human traffickers promising passage to Europe via the Mediterranean Sea, said the release adding, that many among them were subjected to abduction and inhumane treatment at different times during their stay in Libya.
Ministry officials urged the returnees to raise awareness among others about the grave risks of illegal migration through dangerous routes, and advised against taking such perilous journeys in the future.
As part of its reintegration support, IOM provided each returnee with BDT 6,000 in cash assistance, emergency food supplies, primary healthcare, and temporary shelter where necessary.
Efforts are ongoing to facilitate the safe and dignified repatriation of other Bangladeshi nationals currently held in various detention centres across Libya, said the press release.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Bangladesh Embassy in Tripoli, the Ministry of Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment, and IOM continue to work closely to ensure their prompt return, it added.
