In a study by Matrix Insight Ltd and ICMPD carried out for the EU Commission DG Home Affairs, research was undertaken on best practices in the field of forced return monitoring. When looking at over 30 countries, nine best practice case studies were identified to support the transposition of Article 8(6) of the Return Directive, specifying that Member States shall provide an effective forced return monitoring of irregularly staying third-country nationals.

The study presents recommendations for Member States on how to organise a forced return monitoring system. Amongst others, it calls on Member States to monitor all phases of return from pre-return to arrival/reception in the destination country. Furthermore, monitors should be independent, informed in advance of return operations, free in conducting their tasks and that there should be a specific procedure for Frontex coordinated operations. When looking at stakeholders currently monitoring forced returns, the study concludes that the majority of Member States that have a monitoring system in place are involving NGOs as well as migration/law enforcement bodies and ombudspersons.

You can access the study here: http://ec.europa.eu/home-affairs/doc_centre/immigration/docs/studies/Forced%20Return%20Monitoring%20Study%20Final%20Report.pdf?

From: www.ecre.org