We are
pleased to announce the publication of the eleventh annual report by the
Frontex Consultative Forum on Fundamental Rights. We extend our gratitude to
the Forum members for their invaluable advice and support in promoting
fundamental rights within our agency. During this period of transition, Frontex
remains committed to full and constructive engagement with the Consultative
Forum. We continuously strive to enhance our joint efforts in safeguarding
fundamental rights.
Below, you
will find the press release from the Consultative Forum detailing the
publication of its annual report.
Today, the Frontex Consultative Forum on Fundamental Rights published
its eleventh annual report. The
report outlines the main observations and recommendations that the Forum raised
throughout 2023 with Frontex, the European Border
and Coast Guard Agency, and its Management Board to strengthen fundamental
rights protection in Frontex activities.
The Consultative
Forum advised the agency on the identification of vulnerable persons, visited
operations in Italy and Serbia and provided fundamental rights advice within the Fundamental
Rights Guidance Board of the European Travel Information and Authorization
System (ETIAS).
The Executive Director, Hans Leijtens,
engaged constructively with the Consultative Forum and stressed the need for
increased transparency concerning Frontex’s activities.
While acknowledging the increasingly open
and frank exchanges between the Agency and the Consultative Forum, specific
issues need attention. For instance, the Consultative Forum observed that the
Fundamental Rights Officer encountered limited collaboration from the Member
States in the gathering and verification of information concerning investigations
of serious incident reports.
Fundamental rights protection at Frontex
can only be effective when supported by a conducive environment that
contemplates timely investigations into allegations of fundamental rights
violations by Member States’ justice systems and independent monitoring
mechanisms.
While Frontex
regularly reports to the Frontex
Scrutiny Working Group of the European Parliament’s LIBE Committee, further
efforts need to be made in relation to the follow up by Frontex on the Consultative
Forum’s and the Fundamental Rights Officer’s recommendations, including in
terms of feedback on the advice received.
In 2024 the
Consultative Forum will continue engaging with Frontex on the protection of
fundamental rights through operational visits, recommendations, and other forms
of advice.
The full report is
available here.