What is Post-Return Observatory?
Post-Return Observatory is an organization that aims at developing and promoting the concept and methodology of independent, unbiased and information based post-return monitoring that can benefit both migrants and States.
Why do we need post-return information?
Currently we do not know what happens to returned migrants or rejected asylum seekers after their return to their home country. Authorities and courts in the sending country do not find out if the return decision was the right one, what assistance the returnee needs upon return or what is needed to support the returnee to reintegrate to his or her home country. International human rights organizations and experts have started to pay attention to this missing link of the international protection of migrants and refugees.
What does post-return monitoring mean?
In general, the aim of the post-return monitoring is to collect contextual and experiential human rights related information from the returned migrants and other partners in the country of origin. The idea is that migrants, asylum seekers and refugees themselves should have a right to participate in the provision of relevant post-return information upon return.
What methodology can be used to collect post-return information?
Post-return information can be collected by using different kind of context sensitive methodologies including interviews upon arrival and co-operation with relevant organizations and human rights actors in the country of origin. In the interconnected world, post-return monitoring should be increasingly carried out by using digital tools. For example, returnees can be asked to fill out easy questionnaires through user- friendly applications on mobile phones. Digitally collected information can be complemented by collecting information by traditional means (interviews, for example).
In general, post- return monitoring underlines the responsibility of States for their actions. The use of public power in modern world should not remain unchecked. Post-return monitoring would be a step towards more transparent, just and responsible migration policy.
For a comprehensive analysis of the Post-return monitoring in the context of refugee protection, see Dr Jari Pirjola’s article: Out of Sight, Out of Mind: Post-Return monitoring - A missing link in the International protection of refugees?
☎ CONTACT & Facebook
contact@post-returnobservatory.com
Our work is based on the following principles:
Human rights of returnees should always be respected
The human rights of migrants must be respected, and no-one should be subjected to torture, inhuman or degrading treatment upon return. Currently we do not know what happens to returned migrants upon return.
The use of public power must not remain unchecked
In an interconnected world, the consequences of decisions of courts and authorities must be visible. It is important the courts and/or authorities know what happens to migrants upon return.
Post-return information can be collected by using digital tools
Post return monitoring should be increasingly carried out by using digital tools like mobile phones. For example, returnees can be asked to fill out easy questionnaires through user-friendly applications on mobile phones. Digitally collected information can be complemented by collecting information by traditional means (interviews, for example).
Without information you cannot have success
Return policies in the European Union must be based on up-to-date information. Knowledge based return policy can assist States in creating effective, responsible, transparent and human rights compliant return policies while securing international protection to those who need it.