The European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) has published a report heavily criticising the EU’s border policies.
According to the document published by the independent body on July 30, the EU has failed to rescue and assist migrants in distress.
The report also claims there were incidents of maltreatment, abuse and other life-threatening human-rights violations at the EU’s land and sea borders that have not been properly investigated.
A press release accompanying the report titled ‘Guidance on investigating alleged ill-treatment at borders’ stated: “Victims rarely file complaints against law-enforcement bodies due to mistrust of authorities, fear of retaliation or lack of awareness of the available procedures.”
That was said to be because victims of human rights violations at borders found it difficult to seek redress in national courts.
It was noted that the European Court of Human Rights had “called out Member States for ineffective investigations into ill-treatment and deaths at borders”.
How can we better monitor #FundamentalRights violations at EU borders?
The latest #EURightsAgency report calls for robust monitoring at borders and stronger accountability mechanisms.
It sets out 6 steps to effectively investigate violations.
See: https://t.co/GxZDnzsh7V pic.twitter.com/FNc6WcTY97
— EU Fundamental Rights ➡️ #HumanRights (@EURightsAgency) July 30, 2024
The FRA stated the Screening Regulation adopted in the Pact on Migration and Asylum obliged Member States to investigate allegations of fundamental rights violations at borders and that they had to adopt national plans to deal with such.
The report also demanded more transparency to enhance public confidence in the EU’s processes for investigating alleged fundamental rights violations at borders.
FRA Director Sirpa Rautio said: “There are too many allegations of human rights violations at the EU’s borders.”
“Europe has a duty to treat everyone at the borders fairly, respectfully and in full compliance with human-rights law.
“This calls for effective and rights-compliant border management practices, underpinned by robust and independent investigations into all rights abuse incidents,” he added.
Brussels Signal reached out to Frontex, the European Border and Coast Guard Agency that supports Member States in managing the EU’s external borders and fighting cross-border crime. The body’s spokesperson said the report was currently being studied.
The FRA was established in 2007 as a successor to the European Monitoring Centre on Racism and Xenophobia. It is funded by the EU but operates independently.
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Read more ?? https://t.co/tXu8IgodJC #immigrationupdate pic.twitter.com/x6zv554NdU
— Brussels Signal (@brusselssignal) May 10, 2024
