On 12–13 May, the Head of the Council of Europe Division on Migration and Refugees (DMR) participated in the 40th Meeting of the Frontex Consultative Forum on Fundamental Rights, held in Brussels. The meeting provided an opportunity to exchange views with the 15 international organisations and civil society organisations that are members of the Consultative Forum, as well as with representatives of the European Commission’s DG HOME.

Discussions focused on the Consultative Forum’s planned activities, including on-site visits to member States where Frontex operates. Participants also examined major recent legal and policy developments within the European Union, notably the ongoing work on the recast Frontex Regulation and member States’ implementation of the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum, which is due to apply from 12 June.

The Consultative Forum was also informed about developments concerning the informal platform on Independent Monitoring Mechanisms at borders, foreseen under the EU Pact. The platform was initiated by the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA), the Frontex Fundamental Rights Office (FRO) and ENNHRI, and the DMR recently joined the initiative as well.