Special report on return of third country nationals
The fact that the dramatic reduction in the numbers of forced returns of third country nationals in 2018 does not correspond to the high number of administrative detainees in view of return, is highlighted by the Greek Ombudsman in the special report in his capacity as national monitoring mechanism for returns according to EU law. The Ombudsman mentions that the police return operations are affected by certain dysfunctions in the asylum process and the lack of fully connected data systems. The Ombudsman stresses the important role of transparency and protection of fundamental rights in planning an effective returns system at the European level, focusing his critical remarks in the EU Commission’s proposal for a Recast Return Directive. Last but by no means least, the Greek Ombudsman’s initiative for networking with his counterparts in other member-states and the Council of Europe, is aiming at achieving transparency and an independent external monitoring on European forced return operations by FRONTEX, in view of the relevant EU Regulation being under amendment.
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