The Diplomacy of Forced Return: Challenges and Controversies
Publication Date:
2025
Pages:
4
Item Reference:
IB-2025-10
Publication Place:
Bruges
Publication Language:
EN
Copyright Holder:
UNU Institute on Comparative Regional Integration Studies
Copyright Year:
2025
Policy Brief Type:
Abstract:
- Forced return, a practice where migrants are compelled to leave a host country, raises serious legal, ethical, and humanitarian concerns, especially when migrants are returned to countries where they face harm or persecution.
- Assisted Voluntary Return (AVR) is a more humane alternative, though it is controversial because migrants may feel coerced into participating due to the threat of forced expulsion.
- Diplomatic relations between host countries and countries of origin are often strained due to forced return policies, especially when host countries pressure countries of origin into accepting returnees without proper reintegration support.
- Forced return poses a dilemma for host countries, which must balance controlling migration with respecting human rights, particularly the non-refoulement principle, which prohibits returning migrants to places where they are at risk
