On 23 October 2020, the International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD) organised a webinar in the framework of the EU-funded Forced-Return Monitoring III (FReM III) project. During the webinar, the FReM III project team at ICMPD presented the main results and recommendations of the assessment of how the pool of forced-return monitors (Pool) currently functions.
The assessment was carried out in order to better understand and describe how the Pool operates and how it is managed. Moreover, it aimed to identify good practices and possible gaps and needs in its operations, in order to suggest possible approaches that could contribute to the Pool’s day-to-day management, sustainability, transparency and independence. The assessment, conducted by the FReM III project team at ICMPD, was based on a multi-method study, which included semi-structured interviews with key staff working at the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex) and an online survey for forced-return monitors that are part of the Pool. Drawing from the findings of the assessment, the webinar focused on the workflow within Frontex for the day-to-day operations and management of the Pool and on the ways forward and recommendations to improve further the way in which the Pool operates. The Pool is managed by Frontex and consists of monitors from the bodies of Member State responsible for carrying out forced-return monitoring activities in accordance with Article 8(6) of Directive 2008/115/EC. Since the Pool was established, the Forced-Return Monitoring projects (FReM II and III) have been supporting Frontex in institutionalising the Pool within the structure of the Agency.
On 7 January 2017, the Pool was established by Frontex, in line with Article 29 of the European Border and Coast Guard (EBCG) Regulation (EU) 2016/1624 in force at the time, and on the basis of the outcomes of the Forced-Return Monitoring I project (FReM I). The Pool is managed by Frontex and consists of monitors from the bodies of Member State responsible for carrying out forced-return monitoring activities in accordance with Article 8(6) of Directive 2008/115/EC. Since the Pool was established, the Forced-Return Monitoring projects (FReM II and III) have been supporting Frontex in institutionalising the Pool within the structure of the Agency.