35 Bangladeshis Deported from Three European Countries
Thirty-five Bangladeshi nationals returned home on Friday morning after being repatriated from three European countries: 19 from Italy, 10 from Greece, and six from Cyprus. They landed at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka around 8:15 AM aboard a special chartered flight. Upon arrival, the returnees received emergency assistance, counselling, and travel allowances to reach their respective home districts. This immediate support was coordinated by BRAC’s Migration Program alongside Civil Aviation Security, the Expatriates’ Welfare Desk, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and European Union representatives under the jointly funded ‘Prottasha-2’ project.
Highlighting ongoing integration efforts, Shariful Hasan, Associate Director at BRAC, noted that Italy, Greece, and Germany account for a major portion of recent Bangladeshi returnees from Europe. He stated, ‘Upon arrival, emergency aid and counselling are provided, alongside financial support aimed at helping them get back on their feet.’ Mr. Hasan also emphasised that nationwide awareness campaigns are continuously conducted to discourage perilous irregular migration routes to Europe while simultaneously working to broaden legal overseas employment channels for prospective Bangladeshi migrants.
This latest return aligns with the Standard Operating Procedures agreement signed between Bangladesh and European countries in 2017 to facilitate the structured return of undocumented citizens. Since its implementation, approximately 5,000 Bangladeshis have been repatriated, mainly from Cyprus, Italy, Romania, and France. Migration experts strongly reiterate that opting for irregular migration exposes individuals to human trafficking, severe financial losses, and life-threatening risks, urging aspiring migrants to rely exclusively on verified legal recruitment agencies and valid work permits.
