The Fundamental Rights Officer (FRO) is mandated with monitoring Frontex’s implementation of its fundamental rights obligations in accordance with EU and international law and with advising the Executive Director on fundamental rights-related issues. The FRO and the staff of the Fundamental Rights Office, including Fundamental Rights Monitors, have an independent role within the agency to reinforce respect, protection and promotion of fundamental rights. In order to effectively monitor the agency’s compliance with fundamental rights, the FRO can conduct investigations into any of its activities and carries out regular on-the-spot visits. The staff of the Fundamental Rights Office conducts monitoring, provides advice and training on fundamental rights and access to international protection to Frontex staff and relevant stakeholders.
The FRO is responsible for handling complaints received via Frontex Complaints Mechanism and Serious Incident Reports related to potential violations of fundamental rights within Frontex activities.
The Fundamental Rights Officer issues opinions in relation to any Frontex activity both at policy and operational level and with regards to the agency’s cooperation with partners, identifying fundamental rights risk and possible violations.
The Fundamental Rights Officer’s Annual Report
The FRO publishes annual reports on the activities carried out by the Fundamental Rights Office, pursuant to Article 109(4) of the Regulation (EU) 2019/1896.
The aim of the annual report is to inform on the status of implementation of fundamental rights in Frontex’s operational activities in line with the agency’s Fundamental Rights Strategy. The report outlines the structures and instruments put in place as well as the concrete actions taken to ensure the agency’s compliance with fundamental rights.
