174 Bangladeshis to return from Libya with humanitarian assistance

A total of 174 Bangladeshis are being repatriated from Libya with humanitarian assistance through the efforts of the Bangladesh Embassy in Libya and support from the International Organization for Migration (IOM).

They are scheduled to arrive in Dhaka at 7am tomorrow (27 October) on Buraq Air flight UZ222, according to a press release from the embassy.

Of the returnees, 36 were detained at the Tajoura detention centre in Tripoli after being intercepted at sea, while the remaining 138 are returning voluntarily from hazardous conditions in the city. Among the returnees, 41 are physically ill.

Bangladesh Ambassador to Libya Major General Md Habib Ullah met the returnees at the embassy premises, accompanied by the embassy’s counsellor and first secretary for labour.

During the meeting, the ambassador warned them about the risks and consequences of irregular migration, saying it can cause physical, psychological and financial harm to migrants and adversely affect their families and communities.

He urged the returnees to start afresh after reaching home and use legal channels if they wish to work abroad in the future. He also called on them to raise awareness about the dangers of irregular migration and help the authorities take legal action against human traffickers and broker networks.

The embassy said it has been working to ensure the safe and humane repatriation of Bangladeshi nationals detained in Libya or seeking to return voluntarily.

As part of the ongoing efforts, the embassy is preparing to facilitate the humanitarian repatriation of another 175 Bangladeshis from Misrata on 28 October. They have expressed their willingness to return home voluntarily, the statement added.