- - mandate of authority designated as external control mechanism, at all phases of forced return, are exercised internally, employing only staff members in force on the dedicated team, as human rights observers. Colleagues from the institutions of the Guarantor Authorities of other Member States were occasionally asked to participate as observers. The monitors of The Greek Ombudsman’s human rights team use a pre-compiled model and an internally developed checklist. All the information collected, the observations and suggestions as well as the results of the monitoring are included in a report that the monitor signs and presents to the Ombudsman after the operation, in which the different phases of the monitored operations are clearly indicated. The Greek Ombudsman has never involved the press in the operations that are monitored. The results and recommendations made following participation in a forced return operation, however, receive publicity through the specific report on returns which is published annually. The report is presented to Parliament and presented to the public in a special conference held by the Ombudsman every year. If the Ombudsman considers that something (issues, recommendations, etc.) should be publicized separately, it can choose to ask for the involvement of the press and, in general, to raise public awareness. The Annual Report and the specific Report on forced returns to third countries 2018 In its latest report, as a national control mechanism on forced returns, The Greek Ombudsman underlines how return operations carried out by the police present some malfunctions that affect the procedures regulating application for international protection, often caused by the lack of fully interconnected data sharing systems. The Report also highlights the importance of the role of transparency and the protection of fundamental rights in planning an effective return system at European level, on which The Greek Ombudsman has repeatedly expressed its concerns. 27 Last but not least, The Greek Ombudsman’s initiative for networking with its counterparts from other Member States and the Council of Europe aims to ensure transparency and independent external monitoring of European forced return operations by FRONTEX, in view of the modification of the EU regulation on the matter. Main reports and consequent recommendations made to the Greek administration, during 2018: - To provide appropriate documentation to examine the returnees’ files on the spot, also with reference to applications for temporary residence permit, preventing any circumvention of the provision of Article 19 of the Immigration Code, which grants the applicant a temporary residence permit under specific requirements; - To provide food and water before the flight or in general before the transfer, and provide suitable vehicles, e.g. tourist buses, for transportation from the detention centre to the airport; - To purchase and make available to escorts modern and adequate transport vehicles for repatriation by land, equipped with toilets, air conditioning, heating and sufficient space; 28 Annual Report 2018 – p. 36 – The Greek Ombudsman and Return of third country nationals - Special report 2018p. 12 and ff. - The Greek Ombudsman 28 The Hellenic police has responded on this point, announcing that they have planned to purchase modern means of transport. The Greek Ombudsman is awaiting the implementation of this provision. 27