The new European Parliament Frontex Scrutiny Working Group (FSWG) will monitor all aspects of the functioning of the border agency, including its compliance with fundamental rights. Vice-president and Maltese MEP Roberta Metsola is chairing this working group.

The investigation was triggered in the wake of a report in the German media by  Der Spiegel which claimed that Frontex was unlawfully returning asylum seekers to the places they were fleeing. The allegations have piled pressure on Frontex’s executive director Fabrice Leggeri to resign. 

Following a decision by the Civil Liberties committee coordinators on 29 January, 14 MEPs -two per political group- will assess Frontex activities and organisation, including its reinforced role and resources for integrated border management and the correct application of the EU acquis.

The constitutive meeting was held on Tuesday February 23. Within the first four months of its existence, the FSWG should carry out a fact-finding investigation, gathering all relevant information and evidence regarding alleged violations of fundamental rights in which the agency was involved. The Frontex Scrutiny WG meetings will take place twice per month.