GAPS Project Multimedia Outputs

Rethinking Return Migration: Policies, Realities and Gaps

In this video, researchers from the GAPs project dive into the complexities of return migration, exploring the varied terminology and definitions commonly used across policy and public discussions in Europe. Learn how EU policies on return migration are implemented and discover the distinctions between voluntary returns and forced deportations. Our experts also discuss the critical role of cooperation agreements between the EU and countries of origin, which often impact the success of return orders. Despite the EU’s increased assistance programs designed to encourage voluntary returns, these agreements remain challenging. The video features street surveys from Berlin, capturing public perceptions in Germany and shedding light on diverse views around return migration.

Rethinking Return Migration: What’s at Stake with EU Return Policies?

In the second episode, GAPs researchers explore the legal and ethical frameworks shaping return migration processes within the EU. This video unpacks the criteria required for a return to be classified as "voluntary" and explains the key legal obligations EU member states hold toward refugees and migrants, including essential human rights protections. Yet, as the video highlights, these legal standards are often overlooked in practice. With a rising number of "pushbacks"—measures used by EU states like Greece and Italy to deny entry to migrants—our researchers question the lack of independent monitoring and the implications for human rights. We also delve into the principle of "non-refoulement" and its critical role in return migration policies, discussing issues such as detention conditions and migrants' access to legal representation in Europe.