International Organization for Migration

AVR Assisted Voluntary Return The EU Experiences Soderkoping Process Workshop On Return and Readmission Kiev, 28th-29th of November 2005

Facts related to Migration and AVR Programs  How does a state achieve the balance between the need for control of its borders and the need to facilitate movement across its borders for legitimate purposes ?  The right of each country to determine who enters and remains in its territory impacts the question of who is not authorized to remain in the country and therefore needs to return to the country of origin  A large number of migrants return home spontaneously at any time without being further noticed  Migration management is, however, required to achieve an orderly, sustainable and humane return of migrants  Return is most likely to be orderly and sustainable when it comes as the free and informed choice of the individual.

In the area of assisted voluntary return, IOM provides a dignified and safe solution for various categories of people including ♦ Rejected asylum seekers ♦ Trafficked migrants ♦ Stranded students ♦ Labour migrants ♦ Vulnerable cases such as UM’s ♦ Qualified nationals ♦ Refugees referred by UNHCR Various Categories of Migrants

Types of AVR Programs 20 AVR Programs currently active in Europe General Return Assistance 3 levels of Assistance: Specific Return Assistance Assistance to stranded migrants

CountryProgrammeReinstallation Allowance /Reintegration Assistance AustriaAustrian Humanitarian Return Program Belgium Special Programme for the Voluntary Repatriation or Emigration of Certain Aliens from Belgium (REAB) Maximum EUR 250 per adult and EUR 125 for those up to 18 years old. DenmarkDKK 18,000 (approx. EUR 2,400) per adult and DKK 6,000 (approx. EUR 800) per child. Finland Germany Reintegration or Emigration of Asylum Seekers from Germany (REAG)  Travel allowance of EUR 100 per person plus a reintegration allowance of EUR 500, up to EUR 1,500 per family unit. IrelandVoluntary Return and Reintegration Programme Italy National Asylum Programme (PNA) (Return measures) Reintegration assistance: pre-departure reinstallation grant amounting to EUR 200 per person and a post-arrival reintegration grant amounting to EUR 1,446 per case/family. The Netherlands Programme for Reintegration or Emigration of Asylum Seekers from the Netherlands (REAN) Maximum of EUR 570 per person, depending on immigration status and length of stay in the Netherlands. Returnees who lodged a claim for asylum before 1 st April 2001 are also entitled to an additional EUR 500 per adult and EUR 250 per child, up to a maximum of EUR 2,000 per family unit. Norway Assistance to the Voluntary Return of Unsuccessful Asylum Seekers from Norway. Immigrants with resident permits in Norway. NOK 10,000 (approx. EUR 1,200) NOK 15,000 (approx. EUR 1,800) SwedenNo reintegration allowance provided. PortugalProgramme for Voluntary Return (PVR)Reintegration assistance of EUR 250 per adult granted on case by case. SwitzerlandApprox. EUR 1,700 per person. UK Voluntary Assisted Returns and Reintegration Programme For the United Kingdom (VARRP) Returnees may apply for reintegration assistance in the country of origin, towards skills training, education or establishing small business. Where possible, returnees may also be assisted in finding employment. HungaryHungarian Assisted Return Programme (HARP)Cash allowance of USD 50 per person, or USD 60 if travelling with a child. Czech Rep.Czech Assisted Return ProgrammeCash grants of US$ 50 per person Slovak Rep.Slovak Assisted Return ProgrammeCash grants of US$ 50 per person AustraliaCash grant of AUD 2,000 per person or up to AUD 10,000 per family

THE NETHERLANDS Programme for Reintegration or Emigration of Asylum Seekers from the Netherlands (REAN) Eligible Beneficiaries:  Asylum seekers and illegal migrants  Non-EU national who came to the Netherlands with the intention of settling there, and do not have authorization to become a resident permit  Beneficiary should not be able to finance the return trip  Deportation arrangements have not been made yet. Budget: Annual budget of approx. EUR 5.8 millions Funding Source: Ministry of Justice Movements to Date: Since January 1992, REAN has assisted over 24,000 migrants - including the return of more than 20,000 migrants. In 2004, 3,714 migrants were assisted in returning to their countries of origin. Programme Services:  pre-departure assistance: counselling and information dissemination in cooperation with partner agencies.  transport assistance: transport (including transit assistance if necessary), documents and formalities, and reintegration assistance of EUR (USD ) per adult/family and EUR (USD 23-84) per child (extra allowance for inland transportation if necessary).  Reintegration grants depend on country or target specific projects.  Since 2000, enhanced and streamlined counselling service is provided through the District Offices with a mobile team of counsellors, in close collaboration with Reception Centres and other partners.  Since 23 June 2004 (rejected) asylum seekers who asked asylum in the Netherlands prior to 1 April 2001 (date of introduction of new Aliens Act) and who enjoyed permanent reception are entitled to receive a one-time grant of EUR 1,750 (875 for minors). Others:  Several projects are currently implemented in parallel that aims to facilitate more sustainable returns. For example:  Return Migration and Health Phase II  Randstad Return Initiative

NORWAY Assistance to the Voluntary Return of Unsuccessful Asylum Seekers from Norway Eligible Beneficiaries:  Asylum seekers whose application for refugees status has been rejected  Asylum seekers who have renounced their pursuit of refugee status Budget: Estimated USD 4.132,000 (May 2003 to December2004) Funding Source: Norwegian Immigration Department (UDI) and the Directorate of Police (DP) Movements to Date: Since the start of the programme in May 2002, over 3,500 migrants have been assisted in returning to their countries of origin. In 2004, 1,143 migrants were assisted. (2003: 1,494). Programme Services:  pre-departure assistance: information dissemination and counselling in cooperation with partner agencies.  transport assistance: departure assistance, documents and formalities, transit and reception assistance as necessary. Provision of travel allowance – asylum seekers, USD 30: if the travel distance is more that 8 hours the travel allowance is USD 60 per returnee.  IOM assist with repatriation of refugees from Norway. Similar assistance is provided in arranging return, as well as provision of a reinstallation grant of NOK 15,000 for refugees of any nationality with residence permit in Norway who repatriate to their country of origin.

Different stages of AVR Pre- Departure Transportation Post Arrival The level of each component is the result of negotiations between IOM, the Donor / Countries of Origin and Countries of Departure

Sustainable Return Information and counseling Services Assistance upon departure in transit and at final destination Re-integration strategies Local community development and involvement of the Diaspora Research and data analysis Co-management of return migration

More than migrants assisted AVR – Belgium Return and Emigration of Asylum Seekers ex Belgium REAB Return organized to over 100 different countries Started in 1984

The Option REAB When the asylum request has been rejected migrants can choose: to apply for regularization illegality to return to emigrate to a 3 rd country As a result of his/her decision the migrant will face: Deportation Resettlement to a 3 rd country REAB

Beneficiaries Asylum seekers who decide to withdrew their application Asylum seekers whose application has been refused Stranded migrants (depending from public assistance)

Network of Partners INFORMATION NGOs Fedasil and Federal Centres for Asylum Seekers in the Procedure Federal Centres for Illegals Red Cross Centres for Asylum Seekers in the Procedure Municipalities and Cities Social Services in each Municipality Police Embassies Lawyers Hospitals Diaspora (clubs, associations etc.) Alien’s Office Commissariat General (deciding on asylum requests) Ministry of Foreign Affairs Ministry for Social Integration Ministry for Interior Regional Co-ordinator for the Asylum Seekers in the Flemish area Regional Co-ordinator for the Asylum Seekers in the French area State Secretariat for Development and Co-operation REGISTRATION NGOs IOM Office Federal Centres for Asylum Seekers in the Procedure Federal Centres for Illegals Red Cross Centres for Asylum Seekers in the Procedure Fedasil

Assistance Provided Information on the possible accommodation /reception Counseling on individual basis with specific return related information Travel Ticket Transportation within Belgium Obtaining of travel documents Shipment of extra luggage Reinstallation grant to cover the initial expenditures Assistance upon departure, transit and arrival Medical escort (when necessary) Information on the opportunities for voluntary return Medical assistance upon arrival

IOM THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION