EU border agency Frontex is obliged to report annually to the European Parliament, European Commission and Council of the EU on its cooperation with non-EU countries. The 2021 report, obtained by Statewatch and published here, focuses on an expanding influence in the Western Balkans, information sharing, the expansion of the European Border Surveillance System (EUROSUR) to non-EU states, and deportations.
Ireland's participation in Frontex activities is governed by agreements that are renewed annually. A Frontex management board decision from March outlines Ireland’s participation in operations and activities for 2022. The payment to Frontex from Ireland is significantly larger than in previous years, particularly in the realm of returns.
A legal case alleging that Frontex was involved in an illegal deportation and the annual report of its Consultative Forum on Fundamental Rights, made up of NGOs and international organisations, show once again that fundamental rights are not at the top of the agency’s agenda.
EU: Detention at the borders to increase voluntary return of migrants
05 May 2021
A new strategy on voluntary return and reintegration unveiled by the European Commission at the end of last month notes that the use of detention can increase the uptake of voluntary returns at early stages of the return process.
The proposed introduction of return border procedures - whereby people arriving at the EU s borders could be subject to mandatory detention for up to 10 months, likely rendering it extremely difficult to access legal assistance and other services - is seen as key to increasing voluntary returns.
The strategy document underscores that in the return border procedure , which is part of a new Asylum Procedure Regulation proposed last September (pdf) people will be available and more willing to cooperate with the authorities.
EU moves ahead with plans to use visa policy as leverage to increase deportations
14 April 2021
Since 2020, the EU has been able to use its visa policy as “leverage to improve cooperation with third countries on return and readmission,” as part of the drive to increase deportations. Non-EU states can be threatened with visa restrictions for their nationals if they are not deemed to cooperate sufficiently with the readmission process. A recent European Commission document, published here, sets out the perceived level of cooperation by those non-EU states. The Council is now considering potential next steps to ensure compliance with EU migration policies.