The Management Board of the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex)—which met in an extraordinary session on Tuesday, 10 November, to discuss the accusations made against the agency concerning incidents of migrant refoulement between Greece and Turkey (see EUROPE 12590/4)—declared that “urgent action” was needed to investigate the matter.
In a press release issued on Wednesday, 11 November, the board announced the creation of “sub-group to the Management Board to further consider these aspects”, whose mandate will be prepared for the next Management Board meeting on 25 and 26 November.
On Twitter, European Commissioner for Home Affairs Ylva Johansson welcomed the fact that Frontex recognises the need for urgent action.
Management Board Chairman Marko Gašperlin, of the Slovenian Ministry of the Interior, reiterated that “all operations of Frontex have to be carried out in full compliance with the applicable legal requirements, and in particular with fundamental rights, notably the principle of non-refoulement”.
Frontex Executive Director Fabrice Leggeri was asked to “ensure that the internal reporting system is solid and effective in order to allow for an immediate follow-up in case of incidences”.
In addition, the Management Board expects the director to apply the Frontex regulation allowing for the suspension or termination of any activity that would be in violation of fundamental rights or international protection obligations.
Frontex’s ambiguity
On Tuesday, the agency had issued a statement announcing the launch of an evaluation committee on future activities of surveillance at sea and surveillance of “hybrid threats” at the external borders and had committed to ensuring a high level of protection of fundamental rights.
This ambiguous press release—as it did not directly refer to the Management Board—was not considered by the European Commission to be a direct response to the discussions on the allegations of refoulement. Questioned on this subject on Thursday, 12 November, the European Commission did not wish to comment on this plan to create a committee and also refused to say whether Frontex was using the term “hybrid threats” to refer to migrants as well. (Original version in French by Solenn Paulic)