DRC recommendations on the reform of the EU return rules

Based on our knowledge about the Danish return system, Danish Refugee Council (DRC) has analyzed the proposed EU Return Regulation, and we are concerned that the proposed reform does not support dignified return. 

To DRC, the Danish return system includes some positive elements, such as access to accommodation, higher reintegration assistance than the Frontex level, and impartial return counselling, as well as good cooperation between the authorities and legal aid providers.  

But the Danish return system also represents a punitive approach to return, which in addition to being expensive, has negative impact on people in the return procedure. Strict obligations and sanctions for non-compliance undermine human dignity and are ineffective as a motivational tool. It often makes people feel a loss of agency, become passive, and thereby less able to engage in the return process. It can thus also have an impact on their ability to make choices for their future and the possibility for sustainable reintegration.  

The political aim of speeding up return procedures with the use of punitive measures to “motivate” rejected asylum seekers does not ensure a good return and reintegration process. On the contrary, DRC has experienced how harsh sanctions linked to return procedures can make rejected asylum seekers feel frustrated, less engaged, unable to prepare, and left with a very difficult starting point for the return process. 

Dignified return

To ensure dignified return and encourage accepted or voluntary return, sanctions and the use of force should be avoided. Instead, rejected asylum seekers should get sufficient time to adjust to their new situation. They should also get support during the return process, such as impartial and non-directive counselling to be empowered to make informed decisions about their future as well as access to meaningful reintegration assistance. 

In Denmark, DRC provides legal aid to asylum seekers throughout the procedure. DRC has also provided counselling on return and reintegration assistance to rejected asylum seekers for many years. The counselling focuses on ensuring dignified return and empowering the rejected asylum seekers to making informed decisions about their future. 

Read more about the reform of the EU return rules

The importance of meaningful reintegration assistance  

In a recent report, DRC shares the experience of 29 rejected asylum seekers, who returned from Denmark to Iraq. The aim is to provide insight into their personal experiences of the return and reintegration process and to highlight the complexity of these experiences through their individual perspectives.  

Read more about DRC’s work on reintegration support