Return - IOM Publications - International Organization for Migration

Return Migration: Policies and Practices
If they refuse to reveal their identity or have made several claims for asylum under different
aliases.
Fingerprinting
In the reception centres asylum seekers undergo a first round of summary questioning concerning
their travel route and their reasons for asylum. A record is also made here of their particulars
including information regarding their family. In this context they are fingerprinted and photographed
by the competent authorities.
Escorts
During the standard enforcement of returns, an individual will be routinely escorted to the airport,
where his/her departure will be supervised. Where escorts are deemed necessary, the individual
will be escorted through to the country of return.
TABLE 2
RESTRICTIONS APPLIED DURING AN INVOLUNTARY RETURN
Level 1 Deportee unaccompanied DEPU Without restrictions of any kind
Level 2 Deportee accompanied DEPA Minor restrictions (e.g. handcuffs)
Level 3 Deportee accompanied DEPA Increased restrictions
Level 4 Deportee accompanied DEPA Complete restrictions (deportation
with a chartered flight)
Chartered Flights
Removals are generally conducted on an individual basis, although in certain cases chartered
flights may be used to remove small groups of between two and four persons. While according
to the authorities, chartered flights represent a last resort, they are being used more frequently
due to the increasing reluctance of commercial airliners to carry deportees for security reasons.
Stamps in Passports
Normally, a returnee does not get a stamp in his/her passport when departure is within the specified
period of departure. However, where it is necessary to prohibit the re-entry of an individual,
the concerned cantonal authority may stamp the passport of the returnee.
Costs of Implementing Involuntary Returns
In 2001, it was reported that individuals deported by chartered flights cost some approximately
EUR 16,000 per person (Level 4 passenger), which represents an increase of up to 30 per cent on
standard removal costs. 2 These represent only a small proportion of the total number of removals,
however. In the same year for instance, just 49 persons (approximately 2%) out of a total of
2,275 were deported by using chartered flights.
Framework Agreements with Countries of Origin or Transit
According to Article 34 of the Asylum Law, the Swiss Federal Council can designate countries
as “safe countries” when they are generally considered to be safe from persecution. The Swiss
Federal Council periodically reviews the “safe countries” list.
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