European Ombudsman: Decision on inquiry concerning FRONTEX Joint Return Operations

Date: 
Monday, May 4, 2015

The European Ombudsman, Emily O’Reilly, published her decision on 4 May 2015 on inquiryOI/9/2014/MHZ that sought to clarify how Frontex as a coordinator of Joint Return Operations (JROs), ensures respect for the fundamental rights of migrants who are subject to forced returns from the EU to their countries of origin. In her report, the Ombudsman called for timely medical examinations of returnees, human rights training for escorts, further provisions on the use of coercive measures, and to seat children, families, and pregnant women separately from other returnees.

The Ombudsman also called for common rules on the use of restraint, the publication of more information on Joint Return Operations, the improvement of the complaints procedures, and a move to ensure that all JRO staff are individually identifiable by name or identification number to ensure proper accountability.

 

4 May 2015
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Keywords: 
Best interest of the child
Child Specific Considerations
Procedural guarantees
Return
Vulnerable person