Deportation Monitoring Network
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
- To strengthen systematic documentation and data collection of post-deportation risks and human rights violations
- To influence policies of asylum and destination countries through evidence-based 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 deportation to AMERA. 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, and to collect information and data which then informs 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.space.
Deportation Monitoring Network
UK Pilot Project
Starting November 2022, AMERA is implementing a pilot project in the UK. The project will support people and their families/communities to have information pre-deportation on the situation in countries of deportation, to connect to organizations who can assist when they are removed, and to monitor their outcomes. To do so AMERA is developing tools and approaches for data collection. By focusing during the pilot project on three countries that people are being removed to from the UK, we hope to assess the potential for information collected to inform litigation and advocacy. If you would like to learn more about the project, please contact DMN@amerainternational.space.