Govt brings back 167 trafficking victims from Libya

Diplomatic Correspondent :

The Government of Bangladesh, via the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, has successfully repatriated 167 Bangladeshi nationals from Libya-most of whom had been detained for attempting to migrate through irregular means.

The returnees included 16 individuals who voluntarily opted to return from Benghazi and surrounding areas, along with 151 who had been held at the Ganfouda Detention Centre. They arrived in Dhaka early Thursday morning aboard a chartered flight operated by Buraq Air.

This repatriation was facilitated through the coordinated efforts of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment, the Bangladesh Embassy in Tripoli, and the International Organization for Migration (IOM).

Government officials and IOM representatives welcomed the returnees at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport. For many, the return marks the end of a harrowing ordeal involving trafficking, abuse, and incarceration.

According to authorities, the majority of the individuals had entered Libya via illegal channels, misled by trafficking networks with false promises of reaching Europe for a better future.

“These individuals were deceived and exploited, and their suffering has been immense,” a senior foreign ministry official stated. “But this is not just a personal tragedy – it tarnishes our international image.”

Bangladesh continues to face international scrutiny over the high number of its nationals attempting to enter Europe illegally, often using Libya as a transit point. Many end up detained, while others fall victim to violence or even death.

The Foreign Ministry reiterated its firm stance against irregular migration, urging citizens not to trust traffickers who exploit vulnerable individuals. Officials warned that these unauthorised journeys not only endanger lives but also damage Bangladesh’s standing on the global stage.

“The implications of illegal migration go beyond personal hardship,” said an official from the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare. “It positions Bangladesh as a source of illegal labour, which undermines our international credibility. This must end.”

As part of reintegration efforts, the IOM provided each returnee with Tk 6,000 in cash, food assistance, basic medical care, and temporary shelter. The agency is working in close collaboration with the government to support those returning from detention and conflict-affected areas.

This repatriation effort is part of a broader national initiative to bring home Bangladeshi nationals stranded or imprisoned in Libya. The Bangladesh Embassy in Tripoli has been instrumental in identifying detainees and coordinating with Libyan authorities and international partners.

“We are working tirelessly to ensure that all Bangladeshi detainees in Libya have the opportunity to return home,” said an embassy spokesperson. “But we also appeal to families and communities back home – do not fall for the traffickers’ lies. Irregular migration is unsafe and carries serious long-term consequences.”

In a bid to tackle the issue at its roots, the government has launched grassroots awareness campaigns in areas known to be trafficking hotspots. Community leaders, local law enforcement, and migration specialists are being engaged to educate the public on legal migration pathways and the dangers of undocumented travel.

Human rights organisations and government agencies alike agree: the fight against human trafficking is about more than individual safety – it is about safeguarding Bangladesh’s integrity. As the country receives these 167 individuals, the government’s message remains resolute: irregular migration is a path of peril, not prosperity.