Oct. 4, 2024 — An internal investigation has raised serious allegations against Frontex, the European Border and Coast Guard Agency, regarding improper conduct by its staff in the Mediterranean. Following months of internal scrutiny, the agency’s human rights officer reported significant concerns about potential illegal returns of migrants to their countries of origin.
Reports reviewed by NDR and WDR detail grave errors by border guards, particularly concerning the unlawful return of migrants from Greece to Turkey. In two specific incidents, staff members reportedly violated their operational responsibilities, as stated in the investigative reports.
Frontex announced that it is currently examining the recommendations made by its human rights officials. The agency, responsible for monitoring both land and maritime borders in Europe, faces mounting pressure to ensure adherence to human rights standards in its operations.
In the spring, NDR and WDR initially reported two incidents in the Mediterranean, indicating that migrants had been forcibly returned from EU waters to Turkish territory. Frontex and the Greek Coast Guard were reportedly present during these operations, with suspicions of involvement in illegal “pushback” procedures surfacing.
One particularly alarming case occurred on February 19, 2024. According to a review by NDR and WDR journalists, around 30 individuals, including men, women, and children, were stranded in a rubber boat in Greek waters, pleading for help as at least two nearby vessels approached. Video footage revealed that a larger ship flying the Bulgarian Coast Guard flag, part of Frontex’s operations in the Aegean Sea, failed to respond to their distress calls.
The internal investigation confirmed that a Bulgarian Frontex vessel encountered the migrant boat but did not offer assistance despite repeated pleas for help. Additionally, Frontex staff failed to report any incidents involving migrants in distress at sea. The report indicates that the Bulgarian crew denied encountering the migrant boat during their shift, although internal investigators believe evidence exists proving the crew was indeed aware of the situation near Lesbos.
The Bulgarian Interior Ministry did not respond to inquiries about the incident. The Greek Coast Guard, which coordinated the mission, stated that its officers had previously rescued many refugees and acted in accordance with the law, suggesting the possibility of reopening investigations if new information emerges.
In another incident at the end of January 2024, an overcrowded rubber boat carrying approximately 30 people was seen in distress at sea. Video footage captured a Greek Coast Guard vessel approaching the migrants, with masked individuals allegedly threatening them with sticks rather than providing assistance. The internal investigation has since confirmed that the migrant boat had entered Greek waters and was intercepted twice—first by a Frontex ship and later by the Greek Coast Guard.
Further, the report notes that the actions of the Greek Coast Guard may have endangered the lives of the migrants by creating dangerous waves that threatened to capsize their boat. The return of these migrants to Turkey, where they were subsequently rescued by Turkish Coast Guard personnel, could not be deemed fully voluntary, the report states. Investigators, however, were unable to determine the precise motivations behind the migrants’ decision to turn their boat toward Turkey. As with the earlier incident, reports from Frontex staff were found to be incomplete and inaccurate.
The investigation results reveal that gathering concrete evidence of illegal returns and identifying participants in these operations is exceedingly challenging, as such incidents often occur over extended periods in open waters. Although the current investigation did not prove specific illegal “pushback” operations, investigators emphasize that observed methods align with previously documented pushback practices.
Within the EU, a fierce debate continues regarding the implementation of border protections. Various international reports, including those from the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF), have indicated that illegal pushback operations have taken place at the Turkish-Greek border, with similar accusations against Croatia and Poland. Recently, Finland legalized pushback operations at the national level, arguing that Russia is intentionally sending asylum seekers to the border to threaten neighboring countries’ security.
Frontex is mandated to uphold human rights standards in its operations. Forceful returns are deemed illegal under multiple international regulations, as such actions hinder individuals from applying for asylum and compel them to cross the EU’s external border repeatedly. These actions contradict Frontex’s mission, which includes safeguarding borders while respecting fundamental human rights. According to internal regulations, Frontex staff are even required to proactively identify individuals and inform them of their rights if they seek international protection.
Frontex Director Hans Leijtens now faces significant pressure to address these allegations. Appointed in early 2023, he pledged that Frontex would no longer participate in illegal pushback operations. In an interview with Reschke Fernsehen, Leijtens stated that operations are ultimately under the jurisdiction of the host country, in this case, Greece. However, in questionable situations, he expects his staff to report on conditions and actions taken. The internal investigation revealed that this did not occur in these cases, with no assistance provided to migrants, nor any information or reports made regarding these developments.
