Another topic of great importance is the monitoring of the use of coercive measures on returnees. These measures are generally allowed in compliance with the European and international standards but must be residual, proportional and based on the concrete need and the risk assessment of each case in which the police forces are required to intervene.11 To grasp the differences and specificities, below is a table with an indication of the coercive measures allowed in each country during forced return operations, based on the information available. 12 COUNTRY Austria Belgium Bulgaria Croatia Cyprus Czech Republic Denmark Estonia Finland France Germany Greece Hungary Ireland Italy Latvia Lithuania Luxembourg COERCIVE MEASURES ALLOWED Band slings, handcuffs, body cuffs Body cuff, velcro straps for ankles and knees, quick release handcuffs (classic metal handcuffs, but with a latch in the centre. In case of emergency, they can be quickly released by pulling the latch), boxing helmet Handcuffs, body cuffs Information not available Metal handcuffs, ankle cuffs (in particularly critical situations) Handcuffs (for wrists and ankles), body cuffs, measures to prevent orientation in space Information not available Information not available Handcuffs, plastic bindings, body cuffs, boxing helmet, spit mask Information not available Handcuffs (for wrists and ankles), body cuffs Handcuffs (though never during the boarding and flight phases), masks (only in case of serious contagious illnesses). Body cuffs are not admitted The legislation does not specify which coercive measures are allowed, but the use of force and the use of handcuffs are allowed Information not available Velcro straps (for wrists), French body cuffs There is no rule or regulation expressly indicating which coercive measures are allowed Information not available Metal handcuffs, plastic handcuffs, velcro straps, body cuffs, head protection, spit masks See also Council Decision 2004/573/EC - Annex: Common Guidelines 3.2 – Use of coercive measures, Article 7 of the Frontex Code of Conduct and Article 8 of the Council Decision 2008/115/EC of 16 December 2008. 12 Sources: Factsheet for forced return monitor, European Border and Coast Guard Agency – FRONTEX, questionnaires. 11