Return - IOM Publications - International Organization for Migration

99
ESTONIA
All returns were carried out using regular flights, often requiring transit through third countries,
usually Russia (Moscow). Migrants would be assisted in groups of five to ten, and escorted to
the capital, or final destination, whenever logistically possible. Specialized medical escorts would
also be made available where required. Where group returns were not possible, migrants
returned alone, with transit assistance from IOM offices in Moscow, Kiev, Prague and Vienna.
Non-IOM Implemented AVR Services
In addition to the IOM-implemented assisted voluntary return programme, the Migration Fund
may also provide financial support to facilitate the return of those irregular migrants from
countries in the former Soviet Union. In 2002, the Fund had a budget of EEK 4.5 million
(EUR 28,723), three million of which was allocated for the provision of financial assistance.
Each returnee receives approximately EEK 7500 (EUR 479) towards repatriation assistance. 4
Stranded migrants or rejected asylum seekers from non-CIS countries are not eligible for such
assistance.
Framework Agreements with Countries of Origin and Transit
See section on involuntary return.
2.3 STATISTICS ON VOLUNTARY RETURN
Between October 1998 and December 2001, 17 stranded migrants were successfully returned
from Estonia to their countries of origin including Russia, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Pakistan, Georgia,
Moldova, Ukraine, Albania, India, and Gambia. The majority of returnees were males aged
under 30.
Costs
During the IOM AVR programme implementation, the average ticket cost amounted to US$ 500
per capita.
2.4 BEST PRACTICES AND LESSONS LEARNED
Two fact-finding missions to identify the need for voluntary return programmes from Estonia
were conducted by IOM in 1999, which concluded, upon consultation with government authorities,
that there was a need for Assisted Voluntary Return support, in light of the then growing
number of irregular migrants stranded in Estonia. While in the past most return assistance was
given by IOM through its Regional Office in Helsinki, a local office was opened in Tallinn in
early 2002, to further the initial work carried out by the Helsinki regional office.
Overall, the numbers of stranded migrants and voluntary returnees in Estonia are significantly
lower than in Lithuania and Latvia, because Estonia’s location makes it a less popular transit
destination than its Baltic neighbours. Nevertheless, with accession to the EU in May 2004, it is
anticipated that Estonia will be considered an attractive country of destination rather than merely
a transit point. Estonia’s participation in a regional assisted voluntary return programme could