teruggevoerd

Teruggevoerd is the past participle of terugvoeren, and in Dutch denotes the act of sending a person back to their country of origin or to a previous place of stay, typically by authority such as a government, border police, or immigration service. The term is most commonly used in migration law, where individuals who do not have a valid right to remain may be subject to deportation, removal, or return.

In the European Union and the Netherlands, decisions to terugvoeren are taken by immigration authorities or courts following an assessment of residence status. Procedures may involve detention during enforcement, notification and appeal options, and, if removal is authorized, a return flight or other transport. The concept must respect international law, notably the principle of non-refoulement under the 1951 Refugee Convention, which prohibits returning individuals to places where they would face torture or persecution. The EU Returns Directive sets minimum standards for the return process, while voluntary return programs—often with IOM support—offer pathways without coercion.

Terminology and debates: The terms teruggevoerd, teruggestuurd, and uitzetting are used in similar contexts; teruggevoerd emphasizes the administrative act of returning by state authority, while teruggestuurd can be more informal. There are ongoing debates about human rights risks associated with deportations, detention, and family separation, and about the effectiveness of returns versus alternatives such as asylum or assisted voluntary return.