Frontex’s Fundamental Rights Office (FRO) has published its 2024 Annual Report, offering a clear view of how rights are being protected at the EU’s external borders and where concerns remain. The report highlights how the Office is shaping operations by embedding rights protections into all areas of Frontex’s work, including returns, surveillance, and cooperation with national authorities.
“Geopolitical tensions, war, unrest and natural disasters have been shaping the situation at Europe’s borders for some time. These pressures are still with us, which makes the work of the independent Fundamental Rights Office all the more important. We are there to make sure the rights of asylum seekers, refugees and migrants are not overlooked. Border management must include protection of rights, especially when the pressure is high,” said Jonas Grimheden, the Head of the Fundamental Rights Office.
In 2024, fundamental rights monitors spent nearly 2 000 days in the field across more than 20 countries. Around 50 serious incident reports were launched and close to 100 complaints were handled. More than 500 field days were dedicated to training, and over 200 return operations were monitored jointly with national experts.
The report also reflects the growing influence of FRO within Frontex. The Office works closely with the Agency’s operational command structure, helping shape decisions from the start. Its long-term strategy aims to ensure rights protection is integrated into all of Frontex’s activities.
“As Frontex introduced major organisational changes, including a new chain of command and regional deployment of officers, the Fundamental Rights Office has aligned its work to stay closely involved in operations. The recently published Vision sets out our long-term goal to protect, promote and monitor fundamental rights across all of Frontex’s activities,” said Jonas Grimheden.
The Annual Report covers monitoring at borders and in third countries, return activities, accountability mechanisms, advisory functions, cooperation and training. It provides concrete data on the FRO’s growing impact, both within Frontex and in how Member States approach border management.
The report is aimed at both expert and general audiences and contributes to the wider conversation on how to manage Europe’s borders while upholding European values and legal obligations.
You can read the full report here.