Through a collaborative effort between the Libyan government, Bangladeshi authorities, and the International Organization for Migration (IOM), 174 Bangladeshi nationals who were being held in various centers in Libya were repatriated on Thursday.

Returnees who voluntarily desired to return home arrived at 7:45 am on Thursday on a Buraq Air flight, according to a press release from the foreign ministry. 

The Libyan authorities and IOM provided assistance, and the Bangladesh Embassy in Libya, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Ministry of Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment coordinated the repatriation.

According to reports, the majority of the returnees gained entry to Libya illegally after being enticed by human traffickers with the promise of reaching Europe via sea routes.

Many of them allegedly experienced abduction and torture at different times while staying in Libya.

Officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, relevant ministries, and IOM received the returnees at the airport.

The foreign ministry requested the returnees share their distressing experiences to help raise public awareness against irregular migration and human trafficking.

IOM provided each returnee with travel expenses, food supplies, primary medical care, and temporary accommodation where necessary.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Bangladesh Embassy in Libya, the Ministry of Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment, and the IOM are continuing efforts to ensure the safe repatriation of Bangladeshi nationals held in Libyan detention centres.

The ambassador of Bangladesh to Libya, Major General Mohammad Habib Ullah, had previously met with the repatriated individuals at the embassy premises and bid them farewell, according to a separate statement from the Bangladesh embassy in Libya. 

During this time, the embassy's Counselor (Labor) Engineer Mohammad Aminur Rahman and First Secretary (Labor) Mr. Mohammad Russell Mia were present. 

Prior to the repatriation, the ambassador conducted a pre-departure briefing for the migrants. 

He emphasized the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment's sincerity and prioritized efforts to ensure the repatriation of Bangladeshi nationals who are in distress and victims of trafficking in Libya. 

The envoy also called for raising public awareness about the suffering, risks, and various adverse experiences resulting from irregular migration in their respective areas.