Civil Liberties MEPs back rules on return of migrants

Common rules for dealing with illegal immigration across the EU came a step closer on 12 September 2007 with the adoption of a report on how to forcibly return illegal migrants. MEPs on the European Parliament's Civil Liberties Committee supported - with amendments - a proposed directive on the return of illegal migrants. They fixed a maximum period of 18 months of detention before individuals are deported. MEPs backed the use of coercion if needed and for each case to be treated on its individual merit.