170 more Bangladeshis repatriated from Libya

A total of 170 Bangladeshi migrants returned home from Libya on Monday under a coordinated repatriation initiative of Bangladesh government, Libyan authorities and the International Organization for Migration (IOM).

The repatriated Bangladeshis arrived in Dhaka from Benghazi this morning by a Buraq Air flight, said a foreign ministry press release here.  

It said most of the returnees had travelled illegally to Libya through the assistance of human traffickers while attempting to migrate to Europe by sea, but became victims of abduction, torture and other forms of abuse during their stay in Libya.

Officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, relevant government agencies and the IOM received the returnees at the airport.

The Foreign Ministry urged the repatriated migrants to share their painful experiences publicly in a bid to raise awareness and discourage others from taking dangerous and irregular migration routes.

The IOM provided the returnees with travel assistance, food and primary healthcare support and temporary accommodation where necessary.