This publication contains the main conclusions of the FRA report on Fundamental rights at Europe’s southern sea borders, covering sea border surveillance and disembarkation procedures, as well as general issues such as training of border guards. It is the result of a FRA project on the treatment of third-country nationals at the EU’s external borders, which was part of FRA’s 2010–2012 work programmes.
The FRA report Fundamental rights at Europe’s southern sea borders is about those people who risk their lives crossing to the EU by sea to pursue a dream or escape war or persecution. It covers those four EU Member States most affected by arrivals at sea, namely Greece, Italy, Malta and Spain, and to some extent Cyprus. Migrants who put their lives at risk by crossing the sea in unseaworthy boats to reach the shores of southern Europe highlight an alarming and unresolved chink in the EU’s protection of core rights of individuals.
