New EU agreement on return: A punitive approach to return will not be safe and dignified for the people concerned

Today, the European Parliament and the Council have concluded the negotiations on the new EU return rules. While the negotiated text still requires a majority vote in the European Parliament and among EU Member States, this likely will be a mere formality. 

The alleged aim of the new EU return rules is to make return more efficient and increase the return rates across the EU by using force, sanctions, and detention. While DRC shares the ambition of having an effective asylum and return system; it remains questionable whether the agreed legal framework can achieve this.  

To DRC, a well-functioning return procedure is part of a well-functioning asylum system that safeguards the principle of non-refoulement.  It is paramount that all asylum seekers get access to fair and efficient asylum procedures, and that those who need it are granted international protection.  

If a claim for asylum is rejected in a fair procedure, there should be a dignified return proces, which allows the individual person sufficient time to make informed decisions about the future and take part in the return arrangements.  

The new EU return rules restrict the rights of rejected asylum seekers and risk violating fundamental rights. Based on DRC’s yearlong expertise with asylum procedures, such as providing legal aid and return counselling, DRC is gravely concerned about:   

• Lack of protection against refoulement. All asylum seekers must have access to fair and efficient asylum procedures that extend to the return decision. Identification of vulnerabilities, access to free high-quality and independent legal assistance and representation, as well as automatic suspensive effect of appeal are necessary procedural safeguards.  

• Limited possibilities for voluntary return. The combination of short time limits and conditionality can cause rejected asylum seekers to be removed with force and without necessary time to prepare and engage in the return procedure, thereby limiting the possibilities for dignified return and sustainable reintegration. 

• Obligations to cooperate and sanctions for non-compliance. The use of sanctions and detention to “motivate” return must be avoided as it undermines human dignity. At the same time, punitive measures are ineffective as a motivational tool. 

• Extended use of detention. It is not a crime to ask for international protection, and the use of detention should be limited to situations where it is necessary and proportionate. Detention has a severe impact on the individual person and can hinder the possibility of engaging in the return procedure. Detention can never be in the best interests of the child.  

• Legal basis for establishing return hubs in third countries. Schemes aimed at outsourcing responsibility for return of rejected asylum seekers to third countries contain obvious risks of human rights violations, because they are characterised the extensive use of force and detention. Return hubs can thus become “zones of exemption”, where fundamental rights are not respected, and people cannot access necessary services.  

Bearing in mind the concerns outlined above, DRC is deeply alarmed about the punitive approach to return of rejected asylum seekers, because it has severe impact on returnees’ fundamental rights and does not support safe and dignified return. 

https://www.asyl.drc.ngo/en/policy-and-recommendations/advocacy/european-asylum-and-migration-policy/new-eu-rules-on-return/ 

https://www.asyl.drc.ngo/en/policy-and-recommendations/materials/drc-recommendations-on-the-proposed-return-regulation/  

https://www.asyl.drc.ngo/en/policy-and-recommendations/materials/drc-policy-brief-on-the-proposed-return-regulation/  

drc-recommendations-on-reform-of-the-return-directive-january-2025.pdf 

https://www.asyl.drc.ngo/en/policy-and-recommendations/advocacy/dignified-return/