EU Commissioner Ursula von der Leyen has announced plans to triple the number of Frontex officials to 30,000 and equip them with cutting-edge technology to tackle the ongoing immigration crisis. This decision comes in response to the high influx of migrants and suspicions that Russia is facilitating the movement of migrants into the EU through shared borders or regional allies.
Following the announcement, Frontex has initiated tenders worth 400 million euros to purchase drones, night goggles, and other surveillance equipment to enhance border security. The agency aims to monitor irregular migration routes and detect cross-border crimes such as smuggling in real-time.
However, this move has faced criticism from activists and NGOs, who fear that strengthening Frontex further could result in pushing migrants back into the hands of authoritarian regimes. There are concerns that the increased resources could be used to prevent migrants from seeking asylum, violating their basic human rights.
Combatting Russia’s Hybrid Warfare
Russia has been accused of luring migrants from Yemen and pushing them towards the Finnish border, prompting the need to reinforce Frontex. Finland and other EU countries have raised concerns about Russia weaponizing migration as part of its hybrid warfare tactics.
In an effort to address the situation, Frontex plans to deploy drones and surveillance equipment on land borders to assist member states in identifying refugee movements originating from Russian territories.
Far-right Influence on Frontex
There are growing concerns that far-right anti-immigrant ideologies are influencing the reinforcement of Frontex, with critics suggesting that the agency is being used to prevent migrants from entering the EU and applying for asylum. The rise of right-wing parties and the center’s shift towards more stringent immigration policies have bolstered support for Frontex.
Amid these developments, activists warn of potential violations of human rights, including torture and slavery, if migrants are pushed back into countries with poor human rights records. Organizations like Amnesty International have highlighted the risks faced by migrants returned to countries like Libya.
Drone Technology and Saving Lives
While Frontex aims to use drones and surveillance technology to enhance border security, activists argue that these tools should be primarily used for search and rescue operations to save lives at sea. Concerns have been raised about Frontex’s involvement in abuses and its failure to ensure prompt rescue and safe disembarkation for migrants.
The UN and other organizations have reported a high number of deaths among migrants, with over 8,000 fatalities recorded last year. The need to strike a balance between border security and humanitarian obligations remains a critical challenge for EU agencies like Frontex.
