Monitoring safe and dignified return and conditions of detention

The current Eastern Europe regional project: "Monitoring safe and dignified return and conditions of detention. Protecting the Rights of Asylum Seekers, Refugees and Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Belarus, Moldova, the Russian Federation and Ukraine" is implemented in cooperation with 10 NGO partners from the four countries. The programme is funded  by the European Commission's thematic programme on migration and asylum. The programme activities will run from 2009 until 2011.

The programme concentrates on provision of additional capacity to NGOs in the region to allow them to carry out independent monitoring of border facilities, returns from the EU, and conditions of detention. The NGOs also provide legal assistance to refugees and asylum seekers at borders and in places of detention. The programme aims to develop the monitoring and advocacy skills of the partner organisations and to support their work with vulnerable migrants. It also aims to carry out consistent training of local authorities involved in border management and asylum to increase their knowledge of refugee rights in accordance with international standards and national legislation.