Joint Statement: EU-Funded Migration Projects Respond to Returns Regulation Proposal
The new draft Returns Regulation cites our projects – FAiR, GAPS, MIrreM, and MORE – as having “informed” its development. Today, we’re speaking up together.
While the proposal references our EU-funded research, it does not transparently explain how our findings were used. This may suggest we actively contributed to or endorsed the proposal—which is not the case.
We welcome research-based policymaking—indeed, it’s a key goal of our work. But evidence must not be misrepresented or selectively interpreted. In fact, some of the claims made in the proposal directly contradict our research results.
We call on the European Commission, the Council, and the Parliament to engage with us in an open, evidence-based dialogue. Let’s ensure that rigorous, independent research genuinely informs EU policymaking on return and readmission.
About the Migration Policy Group (MPG)
MPG is an independent think-and-do-tank based in Brussels. MPG’s purpose is rooted in its ability to inspire networks to provide evidence-based projects, research and campaigns in the areas of integration, migration and anti-discrimination.