On 20 October 2021, the Frontex Consultative Forum on Fundamental Rights published its eighth Annual Report for the year 2020. The report outlines the state of play of internal and external fundamental rights safeguards at Frontex and provides recommendations on the need to further strengthen fundamental rights in Frontex’ activities.

In its conclusions, the Forum requires the Agency to step up its efforts to communicate to the Fundamental Rights Officer, and to the Forum itself, to what extent their fundamental rights advice is taken into consideration in the Agency’s decisions. If the advice is not taken into account, justification must be provided. Furthermore, the Forum asks for its meaningful engagement in the development and implementation of Frontex training activities. The Forum also sees the need for Frontex to establish a sound procedure within the Agency by which to launch investigations and handle allegations of fundamental rights violations.