European Commission Hearing on a community return policy on illegal residents

The Churches of Europe at the European Commission Hearing on a Community Return Policy on Illegal Residents, presented what they see as flaws in the migration policy discussions of the European Commission, in particular, a lack of focus on voluntary return and cooperation between countries of origin and transit. They hope that the European Commission will work to better prepare voluntary returnees for their return to their home countries by helping to bolster the skills of migrants while they are in the host country and implement comprehensive reintegration programs. They reiterated the importance of looking at the many factors which influence migration and the migration experience such as the political situation, respect for human rights, and development issues of countries of origin and transit. They ended by reminding the commission of the right of all people to move to improve their life and the importance of respecting the dignity of these people.