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The European laissez-passer - 23 March 2010

The AEDH has recently acquainted itself with a decision that has remained confidential since 1994: the Council recommendation on a standard travel document for the expulsion of third-country nationals. This European laissez-passer allows Member States to expel irregular third-country nationals under the pretext to and in order to “improve the efficiency with which expulsion measures are executed”. It is with this specific document that Afghanis were expelled from France on the 16th of December 2009 on a joint French-British charter. At that time, Afghanistan had denounced the use of this European laissez-passer, stating that only the country of origin of the person to be expelled could deliver the travel documents. Nevertheless, Afghanistan was under a fait accompli and had to readmit its nationals.

The AEDH protests against this Council trick which allows European states to expel persons without any other travel document.

Download the Council recommendation of 30 Novembre 1994.

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