The minutes from the second meeting of our advisory forum which took place on 7 March are now available.

FRA participated in a liaison seminar of the European Network of Ombudsmen, which was held in Strasbourg on 27-29 April.

The ‘Returns’ Directive provides that, where third-country nationals are awaiting removal, the Member States must use the least coercive measures possible, according to a gradation which goes from the granting of a period for voluntary departure to detention. Where the authorities opt for detention, this must take place in a specialised facility and can only take place on an exceptional basis in a prison, the Member State then having to ensure that the third-country national is separated from ordinary prisoners.

Pursuit of the legitimate objective of limiting the incidence of forced marriage must not adversely affect the right to family reunification of genuinely married couples

The national court may substitute a provision of national law for an unfair term in order to re-establish a balance between the parties to the contract and to preserve its validity