Bangladesh has brought back 168 nationals detained in Libya, as authorities continue efforts to repatriate Bangladeshis stranded or held in detention centres across the North African country.

The returnees arrived in Dhaka at 10:04am on Wednesday aboard a Buraq Air flight (UZ-222) after being released from the Ganfuda Detention Centre in Benghazi, according to a press release from Bangladesh’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

According to Banglanews24, most of the returnees had travelled to Libya through irregular routes with the help of human traffickers, hoping to reach Europe by sea. Several returnees said they were abducted and subjected to torture during their stay in Libya.

The repatriation was jointly facilitated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Bangladesh Embassy in Libya and the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment, with assistance from the Libyan authorities and the International Organization for Migration (IOM).

Officials from the foreign ministry, other government agencies and the IOM received the returnees at Dhaka airport. The authorities urged the repatriated Bangladeshis to share their experiences with others to raise awareness about the risks associated with irregular migration and human trafficking.

The IOM provided the returnees with travel expenses, food and primary healthcare support. Temporary accommodation was also arranged for those who required it.

Bangladesh has been working with Libyan authorities and international organizations to bring home its nationals held at different detention facilities in Libya. The latest repatriation is part of those continuing efforts to return stranded and detained Bangladeshis safely.

BOB Post