The Return of Rejected Asylum Seekers in Belgium and in the EU: Challenges and Good Practices (EMN Inform)

This EMN Inform summarises the main findings of the EMN Study "The Return of Rejected Asylum Seekers in Belgium and in the EU: Challenges and Good Practices".

Background information

This EMN Inform summarises the main findings of EMN Study "The Return of Rejected Asylum Seekers: Challenges and Good Practices". The Study was based on contributions from EMN National Contact Points in 25 Member States (the national reports are available here).

The Study examines the policies and practices in place in Belgium and in the EU to encourage the return of rejected asylum seekers, identifiying the challenges and good practices associated with return.

Inform: some findings

  • Member States employ a range of measures to encourage return (e.g. AVR(R) packages) and disincentives to stay (e.g. withdrawal of certain rights and benefits). 
  • There are many challenges to return, some of them affecting rejected asylum seekers more than other TCNs (e.g. volatile security situation in the country of origin). Aspects of the due process of the asylum procedures may also delay returns (e.g. late appeals).
  • Member States have put into place different measures to counter these challenges, including cooperation agreements with third countries’ authorities or the provision of medical support during the return process.
  • Without evaluative evidence, it is difficult to draw conclusions as to which measures are most effective, but the practice of drastically reducing rights following a rejection may increase the likelihood of absconding, lead to rejected asylum seekers falling out of contact with authorities, and increase the likelihood of destitution.
  • Variations between Member States as to when they issue/enforce a return decision may lead to uneven treatment of asylum seekers across the EU.            
  • When return is not immediately possible, there are also significant differences in national practices: the majority of Member States acknowledge when return is not immeditaely possible, but less than half grant a status to the TCN.       

Please find additional information in the attached Inform.

Publication Date:
Tue 15 Nov 2016
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