Briefing note

Operationalising Returns in the Global Compact on Refugees

NRC|Published 23. Jan 2018
Global Durable solutions Humanitarian principles
Refugee return is frequently labelled the “most preferable durable solution” by states. But political motivations risk overshadowing commitments to the voluntariness, safety, dignity and sustainability of return.

In December 2017, UNHCR, its partners and states looked at lessons learned in the process leading towards the Global Compact on Refugees. The Compact offers a crucial opportunity to define the way that state commitments to voluntary, safe, dignified, and sustainable returns can be translated into specific, actionable measures on the ground. To this aim, NRC Geneva published a position paper outlining the necessary elements for ensuring that refugee returns are safe, dignified, voluntary and sustainable.

See other briefing notes and reports from NRC Geneva here.