In April 2025, UN Special Rapporteurs and the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention addressed a joint communication to the Government of Italy (AL ITA 4/2025), raising serious concerns about Italy’s financial support for Voluntary Humanitarian Return (VHR) programmes in Libya. These initiatives, implemented by the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), are part of the broader Assisted Voluntary Return and Reintegration (AVRR) framework and aim to assist migrants, refugees, and asylum seekers in returning to their countries of origin. 

The experts highlighted issues such as lack of due process, questionable voluntariness of returns, potential exposure to human rights violations, and insufficient reintegration support. They also raised alarms about externalisation of migration control, cooperation with Libyan authorities who reportedly do not respect fundamental rights, data protection, and compliance with the principle of non-refoulement. For further details on the original communication, click here. 

On 21 July 2025, Italy submitted its formal reply, now publicly available. The response outlines the Government's position on the concern raised, providing explanations regarding VHR programmes, their implementation, and related oversight and safeguards. 

Nature of VHR and AVRR Programmes
Italy explains that VHR is an adaptation of the IOM’s AVRR model designed for complex and insecure contexts such as Libya. The reply distinguishes between forced returns, which result from a deportation order, and VHR, which it describes as voluntary. According to the response, VHR is offered to migrants who wish to return but are unable to do so independently. IOM assumes all logistical and financial responsibilities, including documentation, transportation, and reintegration support. These reintegration measures, such as financial assistance, vocational training, and microcredit, are consistent with AVRR principles to promote sustainable reintegration. 

Safeguards and Voluntariness
The reply emphasises that both AVRR and VHR procedures follow IOM’s rights-based approach, which includes free, prior, and informed consent. Migrants may withdraw at any stage, even immediately before departure. The process involves multilingual counselling, vulnerability screening, and mental health support to ensure informed decision-making. Italy also notes the use of the UN Principled Framework for Interventions in Detention Centres and the inter-agency feedback mechanism for transparency and accountability.

Monitoring and Evaluation
Italy explains that before funding the “Multisectoral Support for Vulnerable Migrants in Libya” project, its Directorate-General for Italian Citizens Abroad and Migration Policies conducted in-depth reviews of IOM’s procedures. IOM is required to submit six-monthly progress reports and a final narrative and financial report. Monitoring includes field visits, interviews, and stakeholder feedback to improve implementation and reduce risk.

Data Protection
Responding to concerns about data collection, Italy states that IOM’s Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM) does not collect personal identifiers and complies with IOM’s Data Protection Principles and the Do No Harm approach. Information gathered is aggregated and used for humanitarian purposes only.

Search and Rescue Compliance
Italy reaffirms that its search and rescue (SAR) operations comply with international maritime law, including the International Convention on Maritime Search and Rescue. Operations are coordinated by the Italian Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre within the national SAR region and are carried out without discrimination, in line with international standards.