171 Bangladeshi Nationals Repatriated from Detention in Libya

A total of 171 Bangladeshi nationals who had been detained at the Ganfouda Detention Centre in Benghazi, Libya, returned to Bangladesh early Thursday.

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the returnees arrived at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 6:22 a.m. on a special flight operated by Burak Air.

Their voluntary repatriation was arranged through the joint efforts of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Embassy of Bangladesh in Libya, the Ministry of Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment, the Libyan authorities, and the International Organization for Migration (IOM).

Most of the returnees had reportedly entered Libya after being lured by human traffickers with promises of reaching Europe via dangerous sea routes. Many of them alleged that they had been abducted and subjected to abuse and torture while in Libya.

Officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other relevant agencies received the returnees at the airport. The ministry also encouraged them to share their experiences publicly to help raise awareness about the dangers of irregular migration and human trafficking.

The IOM provided each returnee with travel assistance, food, primary medical care, and temporary accommodation where necessary.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Bangladesh Embassy in Libya, the Ministry of Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment, and the IOM continue to work together to ensure the safe repatriation of Bangladeshi nationals detained at various detention centres across Libya.