In order to be able to exercise my parliamentary control function as an MEP, I have the opportunity to put questions to the European Commission. I have put the following questions to the Commission: Subject: Refoulement at sea and Frontex's call for more lax rules on the disembarkation of rescued persons in third countries In response to media research according to which …
Frontex inquiry group in the European Parliament starts its work
Today, 23 February 2021, the European Parliament's Frontex Inquiry Group met for the first time. It consists of 14 MEPs, of which I am one. The central question is whether the agency has systematically committed human rights violations. The group will present its first report in four months' time. Even after the first investigation, the …
Tagesschau: Investigation group set up against Frontex
The Tagesschau reports on the Frontex audit group set up by the European Parliament's Committee on Home Affairs. I am a member of this group and, together with the Members from the other groups, I will be questioning witnesses and experts. I said to the Tagesschau: „It really has been an absurd situation that in recent months we have learned more from the newspapers about what …
What happens to money that the EU provides to Bosnia and Herzegovina for refugees?
Since the beginning of 2018, the EU has provided Bosnia and Herzegovina with a total of around €89 million for flight and migration. According to the EU Commission, the money is intended to provide humanitarian aid for refugees and support the Bosnian authorities in migration management. Of this money, over €75 million came from the so-called Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance (IPA). Thereby …
This is why it is so difficult to sue when human rights are violated
I am often asked why people on the run do not simply sue in a court of law when their elementary human rights are violated by EU states or Frontex. This question is very legitimate, but not easy to answer. In this text I will address some key points that make it so difficult for people on the run to …
Question: Pushbacks by Frontex in the Aegean Sea
In order to be able to exercise my parliamentary control function as an MEP, I have the opportunity to put questions to the European Commission. Together with other Members, I have put the following questions to the Commission: Subject: Illegal refoulement by Frontex in the Aegean The German news magazine Der Spiegel today published an investigation entitled 'Frontex …
We're not safe from covid-19 until everyone is safe
The mutations of the coronavirus show that we are also affected if we exclude the global south from our vaccination campaigns. The international health emergency declared by the WHO a year ago (on 30.01.2020) continues. There are now well over 2 million deaths counted worldwide. In our globalized world, it is particularly evident that …
Frontal21: The Frontex scandal
In the ZDF programme Frontal21, a federal police officer who was himself on a mission with Frontex has come clean. He says that illegal refoulement is taking place and that those responsible are aware of this. I also speak in the contribution and demand clarification and above all that the border police prevent crimes and do not commit them themselves.You can watch the broadcast here.
European Parliament votes in favour of my report on border procedures
(DE) The European Parliament has voted with a broad and cross-party majority in favour of my report on border procedures at the EU's external borders. The demand is that fundamental and human rights be respected in asylum procedures and that compliance be monitored. The European Parliament is thus taking a stance in the face of increasing restrictions on fundamental and human rights at the EU's external borders. It is a …
Brexit: Impact on development cooperation
At the beginning of this year, the transitional arrangements for the United Kingdom's exit from the EU expired. Brexit has had an impact on a wide variety of areas of the European Union's activities, which are gradually becoming visible. Obvious and immediate effects such as visa-free travel or customs duties, which are currently making headlines, especially with regard to the loss of sales by British fishermen, but also those whose …