Return - IOM Publications - International Organization for Migration

Return Migration: Policies and Practices
With the establishment of the Aliens Registration Centre in Pabrade in 1997, a total of 895
migrants were assisted that year to return via Moscow to five Asian destinations (Bangladesh,
China, India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka). Those who had benefited from AVR assistance however
could not be eligible for it a second time if apprehended again in Lithuania in an irregular status.
Eventually, the voluntary return assistance structure was extended also to Latvia and Estonia,
through the Voluntary Return of Stranded Migrants from the Baltic Countries (SMIBAL) project;
at the same time, in view of the dire conditions at the two foreigners reception centres in the
region (Pabrade and Olaine in Latvia), IOM engaged in a number of social assistance initiatives,
in cooperation with the Lithuanian Red Cross and Caritas Latvia.
The rate of assisted voluntary returns in subsequent years has gradually subsided, with 124
assisted in 2000, 91 in 2001 and 40 in 2002. It is difficult to explain the reason for this decrease,
although the implementation of the project has been limited by the lack of funding. In 2003,
there was no funding to run the programme.
2.2 ADMINISTRATIVE AND PROCEDURAL ARRANGEMENTS
Institutions Responsible for Voluntary Return
Project activities are carried out in close cooperation with national authorities, notably, the
Parade Aliens Reception Centre and the Rukla Refugee Reception Centre.
IOM also works in cooperation with concerned local NGOs and international organizations such
as the Lithuanian Red Cross and the UNHCR towards the implementation of the assisted return
programme.
Operational Steps for Voluntary Return
Aliens wishing to participate in the voluntary return programme are requested to complete a
form attesting to the voluntary nature of their return. Those detained in the Aliens Registration
Centre may also apply for voluntary return under the IOM programme.
TABLE 2
VOLUNTARY RETURNS OF STRANDED MIGRANTS
FROM THE BALTIC COUNTRIES (SMIBAL)
Eligible Beneficiaries: Stranded migrants and rejected asylum seekers
Budget: Approximately US$ 400,000 (mid-October 1998-
2001)
Funding Source: Governments of Finland, USA
Assistance to Date
(end 2002):
Some 455 migrants assisted in their returns from
Lithuania since mid-October 1998
234