But it was not like the "voluntary repatriation" that is happening in Sierra Leone.

During the year, authorities assisted foreign trafficking victims with voluntary repatriation.

Jakarta and Hanoi signed an agreement in 1993 on voluntary repatriations.

At the same time, what officials had hoped would be a promising program of voluntary repatriation has been disappointing.

In these circumstances, "voluntary repatriation" takes on new meaning.

There was a need to offer voluntary repatriation to members of ethnic minorities settled in the UK, he said.

Officials always speak of "voluntary" or "non-voluntary" repatriation, and it is unclear to what extent force will now be used.

"This will not be a voluntary repatriation," said a refugee agency official here, acknowledging a reality he did not like.

At this stage, the preconditions for an orderly and voluntary repatriation unfortunately are not met.

For voluntary repatriation to work, we also need people to have the land rights which they formerly held.