INTRODUCTION underpinnings of a common orientation envisaged by the driving force of the executive branch of the European Union regarding the forced returns’ operations. Today, over and above statements by the European Commission proclaiming the elimination of the phenomenon of irregular migration, migration and refugee policies find themselves at the epicentre of publicity, both from the attempt to assure consensus towards the amendment of the Dublin Accord, and also from the individual reactions by national governments against the principle of solidarity between Member States. In the current period, in which there is a widespread feeling that European policies are transitional, national mechanisms of external monitoring of forced returns constitute a cornerstone for the protection of the fundamental rights of aliens’ included in return operations, and for the transparency of administrative action. Therefore, what is at stake is of the utmost importance for the rule of law; it is to be found at the heart of the constitutional mission of Independent Authorities such as the Greek Ombudsman. Athens, July 2018 Andreas I. Pottakis Greek Ombudsman 10