Publication

The EU’s border agency Frontex is an easy target for criticism regarding the way in which the EU’s southern maritime borders are controlled. However, a closer look at the Agency’s tasks reveals that its powers are limited and that the responsibility for operational activity at sea continues to lie largely with the member states. The EU should speak out against member states’ practices that are in breach of international refugee law and use Frontex as a tool to increase the awareness of protection issues amongst national border-guard authorities.