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Forced return monitoring across the EU – an update

Each year, FRA updates its overview of forced return monitoring systems across the EU. The overview of 2020 returns is now online.

The overview compares developments across the EU. It covers staffing, training, reporting and the monitoring of return operations.

Although all EU Member States monitor returns, there are gaps.

In others, Member States monitor very few operations or they do not cover all steps in the process.

In addition, in some Member States monitoring is temporary or dependent on project funding. Monitoring stops when the funding dries up.

In 2020, the Covid-19 pandemic reduced the number of returns considerably.

The overview does not cover the pool of forced return monitors under the European Border and Coast Guard Agency, Frontex.