46 Bangladeshis repatriated from detention centre in Libya

A group of 46 Bangladeshi migrants detained in a Misrata detention centre have been repatriated with the help of the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), reports The Libya Herald.

It was the first such operation out of Misrata since 2014, because of security concerns, and was carried out in cooperation with the Krareem Detention Centre in the city and the Bangladeshi Embassy.

Before departure each migrant was given a medical check-up to ensure they were fit to travel, the IOM said. They also received clothing as part of the IOM’s pre-departure assistance.

Now back in Bangladesh, the 46 migrants are eligible for IOM’s reintegration programme, which includes support to start a business, continue their education and receive medical treatment for free if needed.

“We are grateful that we could support migrants from Misrata for the first time in a while, opening new possibilities for the stranded migrants trying to get out of Libya,” said IOM’s operations officer in Libya, Ashraf Hassan.

In 2016, the IOM helped 2,777 stranded migrants in Libya return to their country of origin, with 522 eligible for the reintegration assistance programme.