A total of 168 undocumented Bangladeshis detained at the Ganfouda Detention Centre in Benghazi, Libya, have returned to Bangladesh after voluntarily opting for repatriation.
They arrived in Bangladesh at 10am on Tuesday through coordinated efforts by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Bangladesh Embassy in Libya, and Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment, with cooperation from the Libyan government and the International Organization for Migration (IOM).
Most of the returnees had entered Libya illegally after being lured and assisted by human traffickers with promises of reaching Europe by sea. Many alleged that they were abducted and tortured while in Libya.
Officials from the relevant ministries and the IOM welcomed the returnees at the airport. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs urged them to share their experiences to raise awareness about the risks of irregular migration.
The IOM provided each returnee with travel allowances, food and basic medical care, as well as temporary accommodation where necessary.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Bangladesh Embassy in Libya, Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment, and the IOM are working together to arrange the safe repatriation of Bangladeshi nationals detained at various detention centres across Libya.