Move to Ensure Safety of Bangladeshis in Libya
NHRC to meet int'l agencies
Embassy blamed for non-cooperation
National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) will sit with the representatives of different international organisations in Dhaka today or tomorrow to ensure security for Bangladeshi migrant workers in Libya.
Speaking as the chief guest, NHRC Chairman Dr Mizanur Rahman yesterday disclosed the decision at a press conference on 'Ensure safety, security and rights of stranded Bangladeshi migrant workers in Libya: Role of government.'
The commission has already requested some international organisations like-International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), International Organisation for Migration (IOM) to take effective measures for safe relocation of the Bangladeshi workers, he said, adding, "We will formally sit with them within one or two days."
National Alliance for Migrants' Rights, Bangladesh (NAMR,B) organised the event at the Dhaka Reporters Unity.
Mizanur urged the government to give Bangladeshi ambassadors and high commissioners in different countries the power of taking instant decision to face any untoward situation and sufficient budgetary allocation to implement their decision.
He also requested the media men not to publish any report without cent-percent confirmation on the Libya issue.
Meanwhile, relatives of some migrant workers in Libya alleged that the Bangladesh embassy there did not extend any cooperation to ensure their security.
"I have been staying at a cave near Tripoli since last few days with no access to food, even drinking water. There is no way to go out of the cave because the violence is still going on. I do not know when we will get rid of this suffering and how much time I can survive with starving," said Jahangir Alam, a migrant worker in Libya.
Talking to his father and reporters through mobile phone at the press conference, Jahangir, an inhabitant of Saturia of Makinganj, alleged that the Bangladeshi embassy in Libya did not extend any cooperation to them.
Monnu Sikder, an inhabitant of Rajbari, said his brother, who worked in a Korean company in Benghazi of Libya, made the last contact through mobile phone seven days ago when he said the Bangladeshi embassy did not pay heed to their problem despite repeated requests.
Osman Goni of Munshiganj alleged the same adding that his brother Almas Dhali who received bullet injuries on February 25 did not get any chance of treatment till February 28, when he last contacted with them.
NAMR,B placed 8-point demands at the event to ensure security for the workers and protect their rights.
The demand includes strengthening of diplomatic move, effective steps to ensure communication with them as well as welfare and repatriation package for the Libya-return migrants.
Officials from various NGOs were also present at the press conference.
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