Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1394633
14 maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 21 JULY 2021 ŻEUROPE This article is part of a content series called Ewropej. This is a multi-newsroom initiative part-funded by the European Parliament to bring the work of the EP closer to the citizens of Malta and keep them informed about matters that affect their daily lives. These articles reflect only the authors' view. The European Parliament is not responsible for any use that may be made of the information it contains. A report by the European Parliament's ad hoc Frontex Scrutiny Working Group (FSWG) said that "Frontex found evidence in support of allegations of fundamental rights violations in Member States with which it had a joint operation, but failed to address and follow-up on these violations promptly, vigilantly and effectively." While many "trustworthy actors, such as national and international human rights organizations" reported rights violations at the border, "Frontex generally ignored such reports." However, the authors state that they "did not find conclusive evidence on the direct performance of pushbacks and/or collec- tive expulsions" by Frontex. The working group was launched four months ago to investigate allegations that Frontex was involved in the pushbacks of asylum seekers at EU borders. Frontex Executive Director Fabrice Leggeri has denied that Frontex participated in push- backs, stating there was no evidence to prove his agency took part in illegal activ- ities. Concern for Leggeri's lack of collabora- tion FSWG expressed concern for the "lack of cooperation" of Fabrice Leggeri, and "re- grets his recurrent refusal to implement the recommendations of the Commis- sion to ensure compliance with the newly adopted Frontex Regulation and the delay in recruitment of international observ- ers for the safeguarding of fundamental rights." "We recommend that the Commis- sion, Member States and the Agency itself develop protocols to respond to search and rescue needs and save lives at sea, and to ensure sufficient capacity to coordinate search and rescue oper- ations to ensure the protection of ex- ternal borders in compliance with the fundamental rights of those who are among the most vulnerable. One can- not step on the finger of someone who hangs on the edge of a ravine with that finger," said EPP Chair Roberta Metsola (PPE) in presenting the conclusions of the report. EU Parliament says Frontex ignored proof of migrant abuses Frontex Director Fabrice Leggeri next to a Frontex vessel at the port of Algeciras in southern Spain