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Assisted voluntary return programmes for irregular migrants as an alternative to forced return

18/05/2010 Migration, International Protection and Economic Co-operation

A report adopted today by the PACE Migration Committee in Paris, makes a plea for assisted voluntary return programmes for irregular migrants as a more humane, cheaper and mutually beneficial alternative to forced return or compulsory removal. "These programmes can succeed where forced returns fail, they can contribute to a sustainable return and help development in the country of origin. They can also provide valuable publicity in the countries of origin that irregualar migration is not a pathway to riches and happiness abroad," the rapporteur Özlem Türköne (Turkey, EPP/CD) stressed.

According to her report, some 10 to 15 million irregular migrants live in Council of Europe member states today, with perhaps as many as 500 000 more entering or becoming irregular every year. In order to increase the number of voluntary returns, member states should open the programmes to a wider categories of persons, for example, including not only failed asylum seekers, but all irregular migrants, and step up information campaigns for prospective returnees. The report also provides a short overview of the voluntary return programmes in the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and Switzerland. It will be debated during the PACE summer session (Strasbourg, 21-25 June).