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Independent monitoring is a key pillar of how the EU manages its borders, which is why the Fundamental Rights Office of Frontex, the European Network of National Human Rights Institutions and the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights came together for a focused meeting on the topic. 

The aim was to gather the partners who carry real responsibility for protecting people’s rights at Europe’s borders and explore how national and EU bodies can work more closely together to keep monitoring – required under the Pact – consistent, credible and trusted. 

The gathering on 24-25 November brought together 20 National Human Rights and Ombuds institutions, the European Commission and EU Agencies (the EU Agency for Asylum, the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights and Frontex). Participants discussed effective implementation of monitoring obligations under the EU Pact, envisaging a more  integrated EU-wide monitoring system built on coherence and complementarity. 

They also discussed how EU agencies can support independent national monitoring mechanisms, facilitate information exchange and strengthen the link between monitoring and effective investigations. 

The presence of the Agency’s Executive Director, Hans Leijtens, at the opening of the meeting was welcomed by the National Human Rights and Ombuds institutions, as it underscored the Agency’s continuous commitment to fundamental rights. 

The meeting underlined how important it is for national and EU monitoring bodies to work side by side, keeping fundamental rights at the heart of Europe’s border management.