VISITS BY THE FEDERAL AGENCY branch of the social welfare organisation of the Protestant Church in Germany) talked to the returnees, gave them a mobile phone with which they could make calls and gave them money. The returnees interviewed during this monitored return procedure said they had been given the money provided for by law. carried out. This will guarantee first-aid provision in an emergency. Returnees have to hand in their mobile phones when they are handed over to the Federal Police. What is why, while they are waiting at the airport, they can only make telephone calls using work telephones provided by the Federal Police or the deportation monitor. The deportation monitor reported that returnees were not always informed about this possibility. In addition, often their contacts’ numbers are stored in their mobile phone, which is why they cannot make any calls once they have handed in their own phone. The possibility of using a work phone was at any rate not mentioned. The Federal Agency therefore suggests examining whether a public telephone can be installed in the waiting area in the return terminal. Otherwise, returnees should be better informed, ideally in writing in their mother tongue, of the possibility of using the Federal Police’s work phones to make calls. In addition, they should be notified in writing that they must hand in their own mobile phones and should therefore write down any contact numbers they may need. Response: Return measures are coordinated in writing ahead of time with the foreigners’ authorities. The relevant letters will in future include information about making telephone calls and having to hand in own mobile phones. Returnees will thus be informed ahead of the return flight by those bringing them in that they will have to hand in their mobile phones during check-in. This will give them the opportunity to make telephones at the airport before having to hand in their mobile phones. A work phone will still be available for any calls which may be necessary after own mobile phones have been handed in. Unfortunately, it is not possible to install a public telephone in the Federal Police’s departure building. Positive findings The accompanying doctor actively examined the returnees throughout their entire stay at Düsseldorf Airport to check for signs of illness. He also examined returnees during the flight whenever he was asked to do so. In the case of known illnesses, the doctors commissioned by the Land foreigners’ authority gave him the necessary documents and medications for the flight and, where necessary, for the following four weeks. The doctor personally checked each person notified to him in this way and talked to them about their state of health. One child had a raised temperature and it could not be ruled out that he was suffering from scarlet fever, which is why the doctor decided to call off the return only ten minutes before boarding commenced although that meant the boy’s family’s entire luggage had to be unloaded from the aeroplane as a result and the flight was thus delayed by around half an hour. The Federal Agency regards this as a sign of the doctor’s professional independence. In addition, the Federal Agency takes a positive view of the fact that sometimes there was a table in the waiting room with cakes, sweets, fruit, coffee and drinks for the returnees. Returnees therefore did not have to use up their packed lunch. The Federal Agency would welcome this practice continuing in the context of future return procedures. Recommendations of the Federal Agency and response of the Federal Ministry of the Interior The medical examination room in the area reserved for return flights at Düsseldorf Airport has neither a defibrillator nor oxygen apparatus. This was criticised by the doctor on duty. Given how extremely tense returnees are during this procedure, health complications can often arise in this part of the airport. The Federal Agency therefore recommends buying the relevant equipment. Response: The representative of the Federal Police Headquarters, who was also present, promised on the day of the return procedure that the equipment will be bought. The Federal Ministry of the Interior responded that the Federal Police’s Medical Service had been instructed to examine whether automatic external defibrillators can be installed in the facilities. Until this has been done, the airport fire brigade, which is located nearby, will be notified as a precautionary measure whenever forced returns are being 1.2.2 – Dresden to Warsaw On 13 August 2013 the Federal Agency accompanied the Federal Police’s forced return measure from Dresden Airport to Warsaw Airport. In the context of this national measure approx. 65 Russian nationals from Chechnya were returned to Poland under the Dublin II Regulation. The returnees were all families. The Federal Agency monitored the families while they were being brought in, during check-in, the security check and boarding procedure. In Warsaw it monitored the returnees being handed over to the Polish authorities. It spoke to a representative from Federal Police Headquarters, the accompanying doctors, a representative of Saxony’s foreigners’ authority, and various Federal Police officers. In addition, it talked to several returnees through the 37