Chair of the EP Frontex Scrutiny Working Group (FSWG) reactεδ to the Frontex Management Board’s announcement regarding the departure of the Executive Director Fabrice Leggeri.
Following the conclusions of the Frontex Management Board on 29 April, the Chair of the EP Frontex Scrutiny Working Group (FSWG) Lena Düpont (EPP, DE) said:
“We take note of the Executive Director’s decision and call on all parties involved to now vouch for the swift and smooth functioning of the Agency. Given the fundamental role of Frontex in protecting our external borders and the European security architecture as a whole, this must be our only focus now. Today, more than ever, European border management faces enormous tasks; our border and coast guard must be strengthened and not left to politically motivated arbitrariness. Frontex is facing the greatest challenges due to the considerable expansion of its tasks and powers as well as the geopolitically strained situation at our external borders. These challenges must not be borne on the backs of the border guards who protect our external border and save human lives under the most difficult conditions. The extended mandate and tasks inevitably cause administrative difficulties. Much more and clearer guidance from the European Commission is needed here. We will continue to subject all aspects of internal administration and effective border management to thorough parliamentary scrutiny.”
The Frontex Scrutiny Working Group was created following a decision by the Civil Liberties committee coordinators on 29 January 2021 and started its work in February. Its aim is to assess Frontex activities and organisation, including its reinforced role and resources for integrated border management and the correct application of the EU acquis.
In July 2021, the FSWG finished a 4 month fact-finding investigation about the alleged fundamental rights violations in the work of the border agency. The report was presented in the Civil Liberties Committee.
