Prosecute traffickers, ensure stern punishment

Bangladesh Civil Society for Migrants (BCSM) yesterday expressed deep concern on the recent killing of 26 Bangladeshis in Mizdah, a town close to Libya's capital Tripoli.

"We demand strong follow-up from Bangladeshi embassy on the prosecution of the perpetrators and mete out stern punishment," read a press release of the organisation signed by its Chairman Dr C R Abrar and Co-chairman Syed Saiful Haque.

BCSM notes with deep regret that for quite a long time, international human smugglers and traffickers and their Bangladeshi counterparts have been very active in recruiting aspirant migrants to Europe with the promise of facilitating their movement through the North African coast.

"We demand that the home ministry, particularly the immigration police and other law enforcement agencies be more vigilant and accountable. They need to establish a system of rigorous scrutiny of those who depart for north African countries with travel visa and do not have prior travel record," they said.

Bangladeshis working in the Gulf who fear deportation due to Covid-19 are their recent targets. Over the last couple of months more than 700 Bangladeshis have been apprehended by the Libyan coastguards and sent to detention camps where they are subjected to  torture and abuse, the press release said.

The organisation recommended to ensure repatriation of Bangladeshis who have been apprehended and detained in camps soon after flights resume and also press Libyan government to bring the perpetrators to justice.

The District Legal Aid Associations in collaboration with the civil society should ensure legal support to the aggrieved migrants, BCSM said in the release.