On the ongoing negotiations on a status agreement on operational activities carried out by the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex) in Senegal
AFET-PA-749909
Committee on Foreign Affairs · Rapporteur: JanChristoph Oetjen
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The Committee on Foreign Affairs draft opinion asks the civil liberties committee to include its suggestions in a resolution on EU negotiations with Senegal for a Frontex status agreement.¶ It supports the talks but says a status agreement must enshrine strict fundamental human rights guarantees, and that Frontex activities should promote human rights and EU values.¶¶ It calls for an independent human rights assessment, clear guidelines and training for Frontex staff, regular transparent reporting, and a public complaint and incident reporting mechanism.¶¶¶ It says Frontex staff with immunity must stay accountable under EU or member state law, and that activities should be suspended if human rights violations persist.¶¶ It calls for EU support to Senegal for protecting migrants and refugees and capacity building, inclusive dialogue, and no impediment to freedom of movement under the ECOWAS Treaty.¶¶¶
Committee position. The Committee on Foreign Affairs supports the negotiations on a Frontex status agreement with Senegal, provided strict human rights guarantees are enshrined, and asks the civil liberties committee to include its suggestions in its resolution.¶¶
Key points
- The Committee on Foreign Affairs asks the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs to incorporate its suggestions into its motion for a resolution.¶
- Supports the ongoing EU-Senegal negotiations on a status agreement for Frontex deployment in Senegal, on condition that strict fundamental human rights guarantees are enshrined and adhered to.¶
- Calls on the Commission and the Fundamental Rights Officer to conduct an independent assessment of the human rights situation in Senegal regarding treatment of migrants and refugees.¶
- Says Frontex operational activities under a status agreement should promote fundamental human rights and EU values.¶
- Considers that Frontex staff granted immunity in Senegal must continue to be held accountable under EU or member state law.¶
- Calls for clear guidelines and training for Frontex staff deployed in Senegal.¶
- Calls for consistent, regular and transparent reporting on Frontex activities on migration and asylum in Senegal.¶
- Notes Senegalese authorities' efforts on receiving and processing migrants and refugees, and calls for continued EU support for adequate protection and capacity building.¶
- Calls for a robust publicly accessible complaint mechanism and an incident reporting mechanism for Frontex activities.¶
- Calls for the EU and Senegalese authorities to enable inclusive dialogue in preparing the status agreement.¶
- Considers the EU and Frontex should suspend migration and asylum activities with Senegalese authorities if human rights violations persist.¶
- Calls on the Commission to ensure the status agreement and Frontex migration management in Senegal do not impede freedom of movement under the ECOWAS Treaty.¶
Who is affected
- Frontex staff deployed in Senegal: would receive guidelines and training, and remain accountable under EU or member state law despite immunity.¶¶
- Migrants and refugees in Senegal: would benefit from an independent human rights assessment and EU-supported protection and capacity building.¶¶
- The Commission: asked to ensure the agreement does not impede freedom of movement and to conduct a human rights assessment.¶
- Senegalese authorities: called on to enable inclusive dialogue and cooperate on suspending activities if violations persist.¶¶
- The EU and Frontex: should suspend migration and asylum activities with Senegal if human rights violations persist.