Milestone EP vote on Frontex on Tuesday - Simon Busuttil
File photo.
A new law giving Frontex a renewed mandate with more resources and tools at its disposal is being voted upon at the European Parliament on Tuesday, MEP Simon Busuttil said in a statement.
If approved, this law would increase Frontex's visibility by establishing the European Border Guard Teams.
It would strengthen its effectiveness and it would monitor the protection of human rights, especially those of people seeking international protection in the course of the agency's activities.
This new law would increase the democratic scrutiny on Frontex by the EP.
Shortly after a debate on Tuesday morning, MEPs will cast their vote.
Dr Busuttil said this law was the result of an agreement reached between himself and the Council of Ministers after six trialogue meetings.
After six years of Frontex's operations, there is a clear need to review its operations; not least, because it failed to live up to expectations.
"Frontex was asked to start running when it didn't yet know how to walk. The demands put on this agency since its very inception were huge," said Dr Busuttil.
"Sadly, most member states failed to honour their pledges of providing assets for Frontex's missions. I think this was the most pressing issue because it hindered the effectiveness of the agency," he said.
If this law enters into force, Frontex would be able to purchase, lease, own and co-own assets. Through compulsory solidarity, member states would be legally bound to honour their commitments for national border guards assigned or seconded to the agency. Frontex would also have the power to process personal data obtained during missions and use it in the fight against criminality.
"We gave due importance to 'visibility'. The new notion of 'European Border Guards teams' should capture the public's imagination. This is something the previous labels of 'Frontex Joint support Teams' and 'Raprid Border Intervention Teams' did not manage to achieve."
"Serious accusations have been levelled against Frontex when it came to saving-lives-at-sea. This new law sets up a consultative forum on fundamental rights which would act as a watchdog on Frontex. The new Office of a Fundamental rights Officer, within Frontex, would help it navigate better. But crucially, in the case of a breach of human rights, Frontex missions would be suspended or terminated," Dr Busuttil said.
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Sean Grima
Sep 10th 2011, 15:49
another step in the right direction,to the frustration of xenophobes.
Mr Joe Spiteri
Sep 9th 2011, 20:04
"Malta may be more multicultural than it was some years back, but there is still plenty of 'room for improvement' ",according to PS Dr. Jason Azzopardi. So does anybody out there still believe that immigration, legal or illegal will ever stop? One possibility to putting an end to our politicians' obsession with " diversity and multiculturalism" is perhaps at the ballot boxes in the next general election. Neither Frontex nor Dr. Simon Busuttil's words are to be taken seriously..
Mr Paul Barrett
Sep 9th 2011, 17:25
There are only two options that will stand a reasonable chance:
1. Supply a ferry service to bring everyone over safely - find them accommodation and support them until they have jobs to support themselves.
2. Supply armed border guards and gun boats to forcefully stop any and all attempts to illegally enter Europe.
The former means that we are basically just handing over our current standards and way of life to other cultures and the latter means that we could end up with another world war between cultures.
Caught between a rock and a hard place. There is no good ending to any of this and anything in between the above two is a total waste of money and effort.
N. Bonello
Sep 9th 2011, 17:23
Why do we need Frontex-TAXIS at all now that Gaddafi is gone. Weren't we told that Gaddafi was the culprit behind the illegal immigrant problem. Time will tell.
V Cassar
Sep 9th 2011, 14:02
And does "European Border Guard Teams" mean we will have a sort of blockade stopping ilegal activity from entering our shores or does it mean we have sea-missionaries waiting to save immigrants and bring them to our lands?
Would someone enlighten me?
j brincat
Sep 9th 2011, 13:08
Nispera li mhux xi kanna ohra!
(jb)
Ms Louise Vella
Sep 9th 2011, 12:50
If Frontex, Dr Simon Busuttil and other do-gooders really want to save lives at sea, they should send a message to the thousands - if not millions - of northern and sub-Saharan Africans waiting on the coasts of Libya and Tunisia to warn them of the dangers of the sea crossing. If Frontex is going to function like a ferry service, we're better off without it.
mario gellel
Sep 9th 2011, 12:22
SIMON, ARE YOU ONE OF THOSE THAT GONZIPN CALLED "GOOD ENOUGH " ?????????
Karen Theuma
Sep 9th 2011, 12:10
How will this benefit Malta? Does this mean that no more illegal immigrants will be arriving? If not, then I guess all this nice works and propaganda are useless!!!!
Charles Sammut
Sep 9th 2011, 12:04
May I suggest a motto for it?
FRONTEX - YOUR GATEWAY TO EUROPE
Mr Simon Ciantar
Sep 9th 2011, 10:49
As long as the terms of engagement reamin as they are it is not in Malta's interest to participate in Frontex Missions .....