FEDERAL POLICE AND CUSTOMS AUTHORITIES interpreter who had been brought in by the Federal Police. Dresden Airport has no infrastructure specifically for collective returns. Instead, an empty terminal building was provisionally equipped for this accompanied measure. That was why the security checks were carried in a container with partition walls and mobile toilets. The returnees waited to be transported to the aeroplane on normal airport seating in an area separated off with bars. The conditions on the day the measure was carried out were, however, on the whole acceptable. which is not yet fully furnished. The building was not heated; in addition, returnees were exposed to a constant draft through the gates which were open whilst they were being brought in. The Federal Police provided disposable blankets at short notice. However, if these measures are to continue when the weather gets colder, special attention should be paid to ensuring that the building is sufficiently heated. Response: It is only during the summer months that forced returns are processed in that part of the airport which has not yet been fully fitted and furnished. During future measures special attention will be paid to closing the gates in good time and providing disposable blankets. Although the returnees had been informed in writing in Russian by the Land foreigners’ authority of the reason for their expulsion and of their destination, some of them said they were not clear about where they were being taken. Especially in the case of Dublin II procedures which typically affect people who have only been in Germany a short time and who it can be assumed are not familiar with European asylum policy, it is important to ensure that returnees are given sufficient information about why they are being returned and where to. Response: It is the responsibility of the foreigners’ authorities to provide returnees with information about their destination and the reasons for their expulsion. Representatives of the foreigners’ authorities are generally on hand at the airport. In addition, interpreters are always present during charter flights organised by the Federal Police. Positive findings The atmosphere during the entire procedure was calm and relaxed both on the part of the officers and returnees. Various measures undertaken by the Federal Police contributed to this. For example, each of the families to be returned was accompanied by an officer who escorted and supported them from when they were brought in by the Land foreigners’ authority to when they were handed over to the Polish authorities. Likewise, the officers had provided toys for the children. A further indication of the considerate manner in which the returnees were treated was that the Federal Police reacted spontaneously to the fact that the weather on that day was much colder than it had previously been and provided the returnees with disposable blankets. During the personal meeting none of the returnees complained about their treatment by the Federal Police. They merely criticised the accommodation in Chemnitz Reception Centre, where conflicts had arisen with other detainees. 1.3 – CUSTOMS AUTHORITIES In 2013 the Federal Agency visited the Nuremberg Office of Munich Customs Investigation Office. Recommendations of the Federal Agency and response of the Federal Ministry of the Interior The Federal Agency once again pointed out that returnees should also be informed about the fact that they have to hand in their mobile phones when they are handed over to the Federal Police and that these will not be returned until after arrival at their destination at the earliest. Returnees should also be reminded to write down contact numbers stored in their phones if they wish to make calls using the Federal Police’s work phone. This information should also be given to returnees in Dresden early enough and in a language they can understand. Response: The foreigners’ authorities will in future include information on using mobile phones and making telephone calls in letters detailing the return procedure. This information will in future be provided by those bringing returnees in. As described in the above, the return procedure took place in a part of the airport’s departure building 1.3.1 – Recommendations of the Federal Agency and response of the Federal Ministry of Finance Fire protection In the Federal Agency’s opinion, custody rooms must be fitted with fire alarms to guarantee that detainees are protected in the event of a fire. Response: The custody rooms will shortly be fitted with fire alarms. Night lighting The Federal Agency also recommends fitting custody rooms with night lighting (e.g. either a dimmable light or a night light). Response: The custody rooms will shortly be fitted with night lighting. 38