The latest regulation on the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex) came into force in December 2019. It aims to prepare the agency to increasingly operate in third countries. Its strengthened mandate requires Frontex to develop rigid fundamental rights safeguards that adhere to the new Commission’s promise of “Promoting the European Way of Life”. In this policy brief, Lucas Rasche analyses the recent reform of Frontex by asking whether its increased powers have been complemented with adequate accountability measures. He argues that a reinforced accountability mechanism is necessary to account for Frontex’ growing presence beyond EU territory.
Four proposals are made to that end: (i) granting non-EU residents access to relevant information, (ii) establishing a Joint Parliamentary Scrutiny Group, (iii) concluding the EU’s accession to the European Convention on Human Rights and (iv) providing common training to Frontex and third country border guards.