AOB participates in NPM Workshop on the immigration removal process

The Austrian Ombudsman Board that will take up its new function as National Preventive Mechanism within the OPCAT regime as of 1 July 2012 recently participated on an expert level in a workshop on the immigration removal process organised by the Council of Europe. The 8th thematic workshop that took place in Geneva on 20 and 21 March 2012 was an opportunity to discuss in depth the human rights issues arising in relation to the immigration removal process and the options for monitoring that process from an OPCAT remit.

The two-day NPM thematic workshop hosted by the Swiss National Commission for the Prevention of Torture has been offered to NPMs and international monitoring bodies as well as thematic experts involved in the monitoring of risks of torture or ill-treatment during the removal process and the deportation of irregular migrants. The workshop involved experts working together with members of SPT, CPT and APT as well as representatives from the European Commission, the International Organisation for Migration and expert medical doctors.

The workshop comprised two days of discussions on the sharing of NPM methodology. Areas of highest risk of ill-treatment and/or torture such as pre-flight assessments of fitness to fly, the role of the monitoring doctor during the removals process, the use of force and restraints throughout the whole removal process - transfer to the airport or port of embarkation, boarding, and through until the flight or other transportation's arrival - were at the centre of the debate. In addition, the distinctions between regular and special removal flights were explored as well as the nature of the risks of ill-treatment and the risks associated in particular with flights where security measures are tight. NPMs, international preventive bodies and thematic experts shared their experiences on the mentioned key issues and the necessary safeguards that they consider to be most pertinent for monitoring work and the prevention of ill-treatment and torture.

There was consensus  that a regular exchange of experience and cooperation of the various NPMs as well as international monitoring bodies should be continued and intensified in the future.

Further information on the Workshop as well as supporting documentation can be found at:

http://www.coe.int/t/dghl/cooperation/capacitybuilding/nhrs_en.asp