This dissertation will explore the fundamental rights mandate of Frontex, the European Border and Coast Guard Agency, in the context of the European Refugee Crisis. The following analysis will look at the four components of Frontex’s fundamental rights strategy, the Fundamental Rights Officer, consultative forum, code of conduct and complaints mechanism. A human rights inter-agency will be recommended, as well as the need to improve social attitudes towards migration and coordinating more effectively with other states. These recommendations, amongst others, are made with the aim of making more than piecemeal changes to migration policy. The central argument is that there is a disproportionate focus on securing the European Union’s external borders rather than addressing the humanitarian needs of vulnerable migrants. Using the legal framework of Frontex and international human rights legislation, it will be concluded that Frontex is not doing enough to protect refugees from human trafficking and sexual exploitation.
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