Today, the Frontex Consultative Forum on Fundamental Rights published its ninth annual report for the year 2021. The report outlines the main observations and recommendations that the Forum raised throughout the year with Frontex, the European Border and Coast Guard Agency, and its Management Board to strengthen fundamental rights protection in Frontex activities.
The Consultative Forum looked closely into Frontex activities, including the allegations of being associated with fundamental rights violation at the external borders. The Consultative Forum advised the Agency on the need to establish solid procedures to ensure effective and transparent reporting of alleged incidents, in compliance with key recommendations including from institutional actors such as the European Parliament.
By the end of 2021, Frontex enhanced its fundamental rights monitoring mechanism by putting in place new procedures and reforming existing ones. Most importantly, Frontex recruited a new Fundamental Rights Officer and the Fundamental Rights Monitors. While these measures filled a long-standing fundamental rights monitoring gap, it is vital to closely observe their implementation to ensure that allegations of fundamental rights violations be substantiated and adequately addressed. Furthermore, it is important to analyse potential gaps in the fundamental rights monitoring mechanism.
The Consultative Forum will continue advising Frontex on fundamental rights and encouraging the Agency to adopt a rights-compliant approach in all its activities.
The report is available here.
Background
Created in 2012, the Consultative Forum brings together key European institutions, international and civil society organisations to advise the European Border and Coast Guard Agency in fundamental rights matters.
The Frontex Consultative Forum on Fundamental Rights is composed of representatives from Amnesty International European Institutions Office; Churches’ Commission for Migrants in Europe; Council of Bars and Law Societies of Europe; Council of Europe; European Asylum Support Office (now European Asylum Agency); European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights; International Commission of Jurists; International Organization for Migration; Jesuit Refugee Service Europe; Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights; OSCE-Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights; Red Cross EU Office; Save the Children; and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.
Please contact us: consultative.forum@frontex.europa.eu