Run by the EU Return Coordinator, this group of senior officials from Member States discusses return-related matters.
Independent monitoring of forced returns is an important fundamental rights safeguard during forced removals. As a new FRA report shows, while there has been progress, important gaps remain. More than half of the EU Member States do not publish monitoring findings and recommendations and in three Member States, FRA sees issues with the independence of the monitoring entity.
The main fundamental rights issue when implementing forced returns remains the systematic application of restraint measures, such as handcuffs, during the initial phase of such operations. Restraint measures should only be used when necessary and proportionate, and not as a preventive measure.
At the meeting FRA also distributed copies of the handbook on European law relating to asylum, borders and immigration.