Europe sends back another 44 Bangladeshis

BanglaPress Desk: Another 44 Bangladeshis, who had entered Europe without documentation or through irregular channels, have been sent back home. Among them, 40 arrived from Greece and four from Cyprus. They reached Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka on Wednesday (November 11) at approximately 9:15 AM on a special chartered flight (N05542).
At the airport, BRAC’s Migration Program provided the returnees with emergency assistance, counseling, and financial support to help them reach their homes. This assistance was facilitated with the cooperation of Civil Aviation Security and the Expatriate Welfare Desk. Representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Expatriate Welfare Desk were also present.
Shariful Hasan, Associate Director (Migration Program and Youth Platform) at BRAC, stated that the 44 returnees received food and financial aid at the airport under the 'Protyasha-2' project, which is jointly funded by the European Union (EU) and BRAC. In the future, they will also receive economic support following counseling and training sessions.
Shariful Hasan noted that, for some time, Bangladeshis topped the list of those entering Italy from Libya by crossing the Mediterranean Sea. According to data from this year, Bangladeshis also rank first among those entering Greece via the same route. Attempts to reach Europe by sea frequently result in loss of life. Meanwhile, Europe’s stance against irregular migration is becoming increasingly strict. Under new migration policies, those entering Europe through irregular channels are being promptly sent back, and their asylum applications are being rejected.
He further remarked that even after spending 3–4 million BDT (30 to 40 lakh taka) to reach Europe through irregular means, individuals often end up with nothing to show for it. Many mistakenly believe that simply reaching Europe—by any means necessary—will solve all their problems; this misconception must be abandoned.
Shariful Hasan mentioned that among the returnees, there is an individual who had used TikTok to encourage others to travel to Europe from Bangladesh via irregular channels. He urged those aspiring to go abroad to exercise greater caution and awareness. According to him, instead of taking risky sea routes, individuals should acquire the necessary skills and migrate abroad through legal channels.
Previously, on October 23, BRAC reported that another 35 Bangladeshis had been sent back from Italy and Greece on a special flight.
In 2017, the Government of Bangladesh signed a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) agreement with various European nations regarding the return of undocumented or irregular Bangladeshi migrants. Under this framework, approximately 5,000 Bangladeshis have returned home to date—a significant number of whom arrived from Cyprus, Italy, Romania, France, Greece, and Malta.
Shariful Hasan noted that, among the Bangladeshis who have returned from Europe in recent years, the largest groups came from Italy, Greece, and Germany. Upon arrival, they receive emergency assistance and counseling at the airport. Subsequently, they are provided with economic support to help them get back on their feet. Meanwhile, awareness campaigns are being conducted across the country to discourage risky migration. At the same time, European nations have also initiated efforts to recruit workers from Bangladesh through legal channels.