Communication on the EU Return's Policy presents progress made and future developments in this field
In a Communication adopted today, the Commission stresses that Member States have generally ensured that the Return Directive is transposed in their national law but that there is scope for improvement in the practical implementation of the Directive and of return policies in general.
The Communication concludes inter alia that:
The Return Directive has contributed to positive developments in terms of: respect for fundamental rights; fair and efficient procedures; reduction of cases in which migrants are left without clear legal status; primacy of voluntary departure, and; promotion of reintegration and fostering of alternatives to detention.
Despite these positive changes, there is still room for improvement in the practical implementation of the Directive and for return policies in general. Efforts should focus on: aspects linked to detention conditions; a more systematic use of alternatives to detention; the set up independent forced return monitoring systems; the overall effectiveness of the policy (e.g. faster procedures and higher rates of — voluntary — return).
Altogether, the Commission identified five main areas for action:
- Ensuring a proper and effective implementation of the existing rules
- Promoting more consistent and fundamental rights-compatible practices
- Developing further dialogue and cooperation with non-EU countries
- Improving operational cooperation between Member States on return
- Enhancing the role of FRONTEX in the field of return
More details in the COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE COUNCIL AND THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT on EU Return Policy as well as in the European Commission - MEMO/14/243.