Asylum, migration and borders  Irregular migration, return and immigration detention

On 6 May, FRA gave a presentation on fundamental rights in return operations during a seminar organised by the Cypriot Commissioner for Administration. The seminar targeted the training of monitors and police escorts involved in forced return operations in Cyprus.

It brought together 36 participants not only from the Cypriot Police and the Commissioner for Administration (Ombudsman) — but also from other authorities involved in return procedures, including the Ministry of Justice and the Cypriot Asylum Agency. 

It aimed at fostering a common understanding of the roles, responsibilities and standards expected during return operations. 

FRA focused on the European legislative and judicial systems for protecting fundamental rights in return operations. FRA also presented its work on returns, with particular emphasis on its recent report drawing conclusions from ten years of monitoring return operations. 

The seminar enabled detailed and constructive discussions on specific fundamental rights risks arising in return operations, particularly relevant to the trends of increase in voluntary returns and the use of commercial flights.