Border control, surveillance operations and expulsion of irregular immigrants—particularly through return flights—can pose serious human rights challenges. This book, prepared by the Brussels-based think tank Centre for European Policy Studies, examines whether Europe is properly equipped to ensure effective access to remedies for alleged rights violations or possible abuses of force against immigrants and asylum seekers.

It sheds light on the fragmentation of the human rights accountability regimes and shows that while the ‘law on the books' may formally recognise a set of fundamental rights for immigrants and asylum seekers, the ‘law in practice' does not necessarily offer adequate complaint mechanisms in many European countries. Finally, the book sets out a number of policy recommendations, paying particular attention to addressing human rights accountability issues in the context of activities undertaken by the new European Border and Coast Guard (Frontex).