Assisted Voluntary Return: Presentation Outline

1. Assisted Voluntary Return:Presentation Outline Idea & Principles of AVR What is a voluntary return? AVR in EU: main trends View of the government: why support AVR? Why a return decision is always difficult? AVR Programme in LT Seminar for diplomatic representations, European Return Fund project “Practitioners’ Capacity Building”

2. Idea & Principles of AVR • History: from labour market management policy to a humanitarian position • Today - AVR as a migration management strategy: • Enables to return immigrants to home countries • Ensures dignified and safe return • Accommodates contrasting interests and encourages cooperation Seminar for diplomatic representations, European Return Fund project “Practitioners’ Capacity Building”

3. Idea & Principles of AVR • Voluntary: • No coercion (physical or psychological) • Migrants are informed about their options allowing them to make the most favourable decision • Possibility to withdraw at any time 2. No intervention by a force structure (police, border guards) Seminar for diplomatic representations, European Return Fund project “Practitioners’ Capacity Building”

4. AVR in EU: Main Trends Common return policy through the Return Directive; strong commitment to voluntary return Financial support of the European Return Fund Encouragement of reintegration measures in countries of origin Seminar for diplomatic representations, European Return Fund project “Practitioners’ Capacity Building”

5. Position of the Government:why Support AVR? • Criticism: governments are appeasing irregular migrants when nationals do not receive adequate support • Outweighed by benefits: • Humane • Effective (cost, time) • Institutional cooperation • Target group easier to reach • Cooperation with third countries • Adherence to EU principles Seminar for diplomatic representations, European Return Fund project “Practitioners’ Capacity Building”

6. Making a Decision to Return • Reaching destination country requires huge investment • High expectations & family pressure to succeed • Exploitation, deceit common • Return equals Failure Return Assistance can make this decision easier Seminar for diplomatic representations, European Return Fund project “Practitioners’ Capacity Building”

7. Short video: Migrant Stories Seminar for diplomatic representations, European Return Fund project “Practitioners’ Capacity Building”

8. Lithuania’s Experience • Voluntary Return assistance provided from 1997, exclusively by IOM • Programme influenced by donors, currently very broad • IOM – same principles of organizing AVRs worldwide; wide network • Special assistance to vulnerable persons and reintegration assistance upon return Seminar for diplomatic representations, European Return Fund project “Practitioners’ Capacity Building”

9. Who can Benefit from AVR Programme? • Persons staying in Lithuania illegally • Persons who have applied for asylum • Persons who have been granted protection • Special assistance to vulnerable persons • Must be third country nationals • Only those who have expressed an unequivocal wish to return Seminar for diplomatic representations, European Return Fund project “Practitioners’ Capacity Building”

10. AVR Programme in Practice Seminar for diplomatic representations, European Return Fund project “Practitioners’ Capacity Building”