Assisted voluntary return

        

SHORT OVERVIEW:

 

Up until very recently Lithuania has been a transit country for migrants, not a destination country. Strong legislative measures on human trafficking, return and detention of illegal migrants, along with improved border control have proved to be very effective measures in lowering the numbers of irregular migration. Accession to the EU and rapid economic growth witnessed until mid 2008 has made Lithuania an attractive country for labour migrants. However, strict control and complicated immigration procedures make them susceptible to easily entering the category of illegal migrants.

 

AVR activities have been implemented since 1997 and have been organized for stranded migrants, irregular migrants, asylum seekers, unsuccessful applicants, and refugees or other persons enjoying protection in Lithuania. Services provided by IOM Vilnius include consultations, organization of journeys, and a one-off reintegration grant. New projects involving the return of vulnerable groups and reintegration in the country of origin started in 2010.

 

 

AVR ACTIVITIES IN LITHUANIA:

• Return information and counselling
• Travel arrangements for irregular migrants, asylum seekers, refugees, and vulnerable groups. IOM takes care of all logistical arrangements. IOM also provides support towards in-land transportation to the final destination, departure, transit or arrival assistance if needed. IOM also assists in receiving necessary travel documents and visas.
• Limited reintegration assistance: Returning migrants are provided with limited reinstallation allowances to cover their immediate needs and facilitate their reintegration.
• Component of international cooperation is very important to AVR projects as well. Conferences, and study visits are organized in order to share the experiences and exchange best practices for improvement of the implementation of AVR activities in Lithuania.
• Building capacity of relevant stake holders (ie servants at a frontier agency) in carrying out return procedures.

 

RESULTS:

• The system for successful provision of AVR created in Lithuania
• 520 migrants returned in 10 years
• Professionals trained
• Cooperation with various stakeholders in Lithuania established (Migration Department, State Border Service, Foreigners’ Registration Centre, Refugee Reception Centre, embassies, NGOs and others).

 

Migrants assisted to return by IOM Vilnius Office in 1998-2008:

 

Year	1998	1999	2000	2001	2002	2003	2004	2005	2006	2007	2008	Total
Voluntarily returned migrants	62	138	124	91	40	-	-	35	3	12	15	520

 

 

Current projects:

 

• Return Home II, 2010-2011, donor - European Return Fund/ LT Gov.
• Practitioners' Capacity Building; 2010-2011,donor -  ERF/ LT Gov.
• Voluntary Return for Vulnerable Persons II; 2010-2011,donor -  ERF/ LT Gov.
• Reintegration in Countries of Origin; 2010-2011,donor -  ERF/ LT Gov

 

Completed projects:

 

• Return Home, 2009-2010 (funded by the European Return Fund and the Ministry of the Interior of the Republic of Lithuania)
• Voluntary Return for Vulnerable Persons, 2009-2010 (funded by the European Return Fund and the Ministry of the Interior of the Republic of Lithuania)
• Reintegration - A New Opportunity in Homeland, 2009-2010 (funded by the European Return Fund and the Ministry of the Interior of the Republic of Lithuania)
• Effective Return Mechanism: Officials' Capacity Building, 2009-2010 (funded by the European Return Fund and the Ministry of the Interior of the Republic of Lithuania)
• Safe Trip Home: Good Practice and Development Effective Voluntary Return Model, 2008
• Safe Trip Home: Assisted Voluntary Return of Persons Applying for Asylum in Lithuania (PHASE II) (2007, funded by the European Refugee Fund and the Ministry of Social Security and Labour of the Republic of Lithuania)
• Safe Trip Home: Assisted Voluntary Return of Persons Applying for Asylum in Lithuania (2006, funded by European Refugee Fund and the Ministry of Social Security and Labour of the Republic of Lithuania)
• Assisted Voluntary Return and Reintegration of Unsuccessful Asylum Seekers from Lithuania (2004-2005 funded by European Refugee Fund and the Ministry of Interior of the republic of Lithuania).
• Voluntary Return of Stranded Migrants in the Baltic countries (1999 – 2002 funded by the USA and Finland)