ICMC Europe Joins Civil Society in Raising Strong Concerns Over Council Position on Return Regulation Proposal

ICMC Europe, together with more than 80 civil society organisations across Europe, has endorsed a joint statement expressing deep concern over the direction of negotiations on the proposed Return Regulation. The statement highlights serious risks related to detention, safeguards, remedies, and compliance with EU and international law.

The joint statement warns that the compromise text under discussion in the Council would significantly weaken existing protections, increase the risk of indefinite detention, limit access to effective remedies, and undermine the EU’s human rights obligations.

The signatory organisations call on Member States to:

• Strengthen fundamental rights safeguards and legal certainty

• Prioritise voluntary, safe, and sustainable return

• Ensure compliance with EU and international law

• Avoid an overreliance on punitive measures that evidence shows do not improve return outcomes

As negotiations enter their final phase, the signatories urge Member States to reconsider the current approach and uphold the EU’s core values of human rights, dignity, and the rule of law.

Read the full statement here: