A/HRC/20/24/Add.1
not contain a specific clause on unaccompanied children and their protection needs and the
absence of implementation protocols of readmission agreements. 25
44.
At one border crossing point, the Special Rapporteur learned about an informal
arrangement with authorities of a neighbouring country for the return of Albanian migrants
twice a week. Under this arrangement, information on the number and profile of Albanian
migrants to be returned were not transmitted to the Albanian authorities in advance, much
to the regret of the Border and Migration Police. The Special Rapporteur notes that this is in
breach of the Readmission Agreement which requires that the competent authorities be
informed of any transfer of readmitted persons. 26 The Special Rapporteur is further
concerned that no procedure appears to be in place whereby reported complaints of
misconduct, ill-treatment or abuse by authorities of the returning country are recorded and
subsequently shared for follow-up and investigation. At one border crossing point, the
Special Rapporteur received reports of wilful destruction of Albanian returnees’ documents
by the authorities of the readmitting country.
45.
The Special Rapporteur observed that some border crossing points lacked and/or
required additional female police officers and would require significant infrastructure
improvements. While appreciating that all border points have separate reception rooms for
children and women, some rooms lacked natural light. Of particular concern to the Special
Rapporteur were the holding cells in three reception centres visited. One had nothing but a
cement floor, open windows and humid conditions.
B.
Reintegration: from border crossing points to migration counters
46.
The reintegration process of Albanians returned under readmission agreements or
otherwise starts immediately upon arrival at the border.27 After a preliminary interview for
identification and investigation purposes, the Border and Migration Police are tasked to
provide returnees with information on reintegration support, including employment
opportunities. Nevertheless, the Special Rapporteur is concerned that the current procedure
is too law enforcement-oriented. Information about the migration counters and other
reintegration services is insufficient to ensure a dignified return process that responds to
individual needs and rights.
47.
The Special Rapporteur heard pleas for the Government to significantly improve
assistance, technical advice and training on how to reinvest their skills upon return. A more
active presence at the border of social workers and other civil servants to link returnees to
reintegration would be pivotal in this regard. The Government relayed to the Special
Rapporteur that the Strategy for Reintegration of Returned Albanian Citizens 2010–2015
emphasizes making use of existing reintegration services to assist Albanians returning to
their country.
48.
The Special Rapporteur observed that very low number of returnees have registered
with the migration counters: only 973 during the period 1 July 2010 and May 2011,28 to be
25
26
27
28
14
See Albanian Council on Foreign Relations, Reconsidering EU Immigration Policies Towards
Albania: Smoothing Asymmetries (Tirana, 2010), p. 24.
Agreement between the European Community and the Republic of Albania on the readmission of
persons residing without authorisation, arts. 6 and 7.
“Strategy on reintegration of returned Albanian citizens”, p. 17.
Information provided by the Ministry of Labour, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities, December
2011.