Frontex
has just published the first annual report describing the activities of its
fundamental rights office (FRO).
The report
contains information on the status of implementation of fundamental rights in
the Agency’s operational activities, in line with the recently adopted
Fundamental Rights Strategy .
It also
presents an overview of fundamental rights-related activities and the role of
the Fundamental Rights Officer, describing the structures and instruments put
in place as well as actions taken to to ensure compliance with fundamental
rights in all Frontex activities.
In
particular, it highlights the new developments related to the adoption of the
2019 Frontex EBCG Regulation and the actions undertaken by Frontex to align
with the new requirements, including the recruitment of fundamental rights
monitors and looks at challenges of COVID-19 pandemic in regard to migration
and fundamental rights at EU external borders.
The
document further includes updates on the integration of fundamental rights
safeguards in Frontex’s operational cycle, from operational planning to
implementation and evaluation; on the actors and methods involved in
fundamental rights monitoring; on the inclusion and considerations of
fundamental rights in the development and use of new technologies in border
management; and on fundamental rights in the context of European integrated
border management.
An Annex with detailed information and relevant updates on the complaints received via Frontex Complaint Mechanism is also included.
The full report is available here.