The Deportation Monitoring Network (DMN) has three main goals
- To advance protection and assistance for rejected asylum seekers and other migrants pre and post-deportation/removal
- To strengthen systematic documentation and data collection of post-deportation risks and human rights violations
- To inform policies of asylum and destination countries through supporting evidence-based litigation and advocacy
The Deportation Monitoring Network capitalises on AMERA’s connections globally, operating a database of partner organisations and individuals in deporting and receiving countries. For security and monitoring purposes the database is not online. Organisations and individuals can provide a report of a removal or deportation to AMERA. AMERA tracks the details of removals and deportations (scheduled and actualised). AMERA where possible coordinates and connects with relevant organizations in the country of return. This coordination can be to provide relevant information and support before deportation, including providing information to inform legal representation. It links the individual in with assistance with an organisation or individual who can provide support upon deportation or return.
AMERA works closely with those conducting monitoring and support in receiving countries, to ensure the provision of assistance wherever possible. AMERA collects information and data on individual outcomes to inform wider advocacy.
The deportation of rejected asylum seekers and other migrants is used as a mechanism to manage migration. It raises many concerns since rejected asylum seekers and other migrants are vulnerable to a number of human rights violations and may face great risks upon their return. Some deportations can amount to refoulement. What happens to deported individuals is often unknown, although limited research and monitoring that has been conducted in some countries demonstrates harm and ill-treatment upon return in many instances.
Many organisations that work with rejected asylum seekers and other migrants pending deportation have long been aware that the lack of systematic and independent monitoring of return operations is a big concern. There is a clear disconnect between organisations in asylum/destination/transit countries and organisations in countries of origin. Consultations conducted with almost 30 organizations and individuals working in this space globally further confirmed this significant knowledge gap and its implications.
Please contact the Deportation Monitoring Network if you would like to:
- Report an expected or recent deportation
- Offer assistance and/or monitoring for those being returned to the country where you work
- Connect in regards to advocacy on deportations
You can reach the Deportation Monitoring Network at DMN@amerainternational.org.
UK Deportations & Removals Monitor
AMERA is implementing a pilot project in the UK. The project will support people and their families/communities to have information pre-removal/deportation on the situation in countries of removal, to connect to organizations who can assist when they are removed, to monitor their outcomes, and to track threatened and actualised removals from the UK. To do so AMERA has developed tools and approaches for data collection and is establishing referral pathways. See here to learn more about the project.