European nations have deported 35 undocumented Bangladeshi nationals, who arrived at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka on a chartered special flight on Friday morning (Oct 31) at approximately 8:15 AM. Airport immigration and aviation sources confirmed that the returnees comprise 19 individuals from Italy, 10 from Greece, and six from Cyprus, marking the latest wave of repatriations under ongoing bilateral migration protocols.
Upon arrival, the repatriated citizens received emergency assistance, professional counseling, and financial aid for transportation to their respective homes, coordinated by the Migration Program of BRAC in collaboration with aviation security and the Expatriates Welfare desk. Officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and representatives from the European Union were also present at the airport to oversee the processing and support operations.
Shariful Hasan, associate director of BRAC's Migration Program and Youth Platform, explained that the assistance was provided through the Protasha-2 project, jointly funded by the European Union and BRAC. He further noted that the returnees will receive subsequent rounds of counseling and specialized training, followed by financial support intended to help them reintegrate economically and rebuild their livelihoods.
Bangladesh signed a Standard Operating Procedures agreement with European nations in 2017 to facilitate the repatriation of undocumented or irregular migrants, a framework that has thus far resulted in the return of approximately 5,000 citizens. Statistical records indicate that the highest numbers of these returnees have originated from Cyprus, Italy, Romania, and France, while recent years have seen significant deportations specifically from Italy, Greece, and Germany.
Highlighting the broader scope of migration management, Shariful Hasan emphasized that nationwide awareness campaigns are actively underway to discourage perilous and unauthorized journeys to Europe. Concurrently, the government has intensified diplomatic and institutional efforts to secure safe, regularized pathways for Bangladeshi workers seeking employment in European labor markets.
