Dear X,

On 24 July 2023, I launched an own-initiative inquiry into the role of Frontex in SAR operations.

I asked Frontex to reply to a number of questions[1] and to inspect documents related to the matter.

In addition to the information gathered from Frontex, my assessment will draw on information and evidence gathered from civil society organisations with knowledge of the issues covered by the inquiry. While a lot of information is in the public domain, I would like to be certain my assessment is as comprehensive as possible. This is particularly important given that my Office is not present during SAR operations.

I would appreciate if you could share with my Office your expertise and experience related to: (a) Frontex’s coordination activities in three specific joint maritime operations in the Mediterranean[2]; (b) Frontex’s involvement (or the potential for further involvement) in SAR operations[3]; and (c) the Adriana shipwreck of 14 June 2023, specifically Frontex’s role.  You may also wish to provide information related to specific questions included in my letter to Frontex.

I would be grateful to receive your contribution by 15 October 2023.  Your contribution will be shared with Frontex and, if you agree, will be published.

I am consulting the organisations listed in annex to this letter. If you consider that there are other organisations that could provide information covered by the scope of this inquiry, please inform my Office accordingly.

Should you require any further information, please do not hesitate to contact Marta Hirsch-Ziembinska, Principal adviser on Charter compliance, who is responsible for the inquiry.

Yours sincerely,

Emily O'Reilly
European Ombudsman

Strasbourg, 08/09/2023

 

Enclosure: List of consulted organisations

 

 

Annex: list of organisations consulted in the context of Ombudsman inquiry OI/3/2023

AlarmPhone Amnesty International Churches’ Commission for Migrants in Europe (CCME)

International Commission of Jurists (ICJ)

Jesuit Refugee Service

Platform for International Cooperation on Undocumented Migrants (PICUM)

Save the Children

Red Cross EU Office

Meijers Committee

European Council on Refugees and Exiles (ECRE)

Sea-Watch

SOS Mediterranee

Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF)

Human Rights Watch (HRW)

International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH)

Caritas (EU)

Solidar

International Rescue Committee (IRC, IRC Europe)

I Have Rights

OXFAM

Greek Council of Refugees (GCR)

Danish Refugee Council (DRC) HIAS Refugee Search Aegean (RSA) Human Rights Legal Project Refugee Legal Support

 

[1] https://www.ombudsman.europa.eu/en/opening-summary/en/172812

[2] Operation Themis in the central Mediterranean, Operation Poseidon in the eastern Mediterranean, and Operation Indalo-Minerva, which covers the western Mediterranean route between Spain and Morocco.

[3] Frontex provides technical and operational assistance to Member States and non-EU countries in support of search and rescue operations in accordance with Regulation 2019/1896 on the European Border and Coast Guard and Regulation 656/2014 establishing rules for the surveillance of the external sea borders in the context of operational cooperation coordinated by Frontex.