Voluntary return and reintegration

Voluntary return of a victim of human trafficking and reintegration

Victims that do not want to or cannot stay in Latvia, have the opportunity to use voluntary return programmes to return back to their country of origin. The programme in Latvia is offered by the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) and it is free of charge. 

Before the return, the Ombudsman office of Latvia carries out a risk assessment for the returnee. A risk assessment together with the destination country is not mandatory. However, in order to ensure that the person has been received, there is usually communication between the sending and receiving country through border guards, embassies, IOM or other entities. A reintegration plan is not drafted by the Latvian authorities.

A return can be also organized by the victim, without the assistance of IOM or state authorities. The State Border Guard is responsible for the return of persons who reside in Latvia irregularly, supported by foreign embassies.

If the returnee is a child, the Latvian authorities must be certain that the child is safe in the destination country. Dublin regulations and family reunification can be utilized to ensure this. The child can stay in Latvia, if a safe return cannot be facilitated.