Roundtable: Informal Agreements and Return: Legal Status and Oversight

The increase in numbers of people seeking international protection in Europe in 2015/2016 has led certain policy-makers and commentators to argue that the large-scale return of persons to countries of origin should be the top priority for EU migration policy. Since then the Partnership Framework and other policies have been introduced to increase cooperation with third countries on migration management, with a particular emphasis on return.

Return was previously effected through readmission agreements however frustration at the difficulties in negotiating and implementing these agreements has led to the development of a new “generation” of looser arrangements with third countries, including informal agreements and protocols. The different types of agreements are often called ‘informal’ as they state they are not intended to create legal rights or obligations under international law but to open up opportunities for structural dialogue and clarify means of cooperation. They also lack the oversight of the European Parliament that is in place for regular readmission agreements.

This event will look at the overall context and features of different types of informal return agreements that have been agreed between the EU and third countries as part of the focus on returns; their legal basis; accountability, transparency and oversight; effects on individuals and concerns for human rights.

A first session will look at the modalities of informal agreements, while the second part will focus on Afghanistan as a case study and discuss the implementation of the Joint Way Forward with Afghanistan.

The event will bring together representatives of the European Parliament, the European Commission, Member States, civil society organisations and academics.

For the full programme please see here.

If you would like to participate please contact Claire Rimmer, Senior Policy and Project Officer at ECRE: crimmer@ecre.org