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PoliticsEurope

Frontex Under Scrutiny

February 26, 2025

Frontex. For many, a name bound up with scandals, cover-ups and human rights violations. Headlines like these long tarnished the EU’s border protection agency’s reputation.

Frontex Under Scrutiny - Can the EU Border Agency Clean Up its Act?
The European Border and Coast Guard Agency, also known as Frontex, is an agency of the European Union based in Warsaw, which is responsible for protecting the external borders of the Schengen area.Image: NDR

But now, it’s trying to wipe the slate clean with a new boss, a new image and greater transparency.

Every year, thousands die trying to reach Europe by sea. The European border protection agency Frontex should prevent illegal entries more efficiently.Image: NDR

The message now? That scandals are a thing of a past. The documentary asks: Is this true? A team of journalists films at the Frontex headquarters in Warsaw, as officials discover boats with migrants in the Mediterranean. How is the agency dealing with these? 

Image: NDR

The new head of Frontex, Hans Leijtens, explains the new strategy, while former employees report on past failures. The film also follows former Frontex chief Fabrice Leggeri during the election campaign in France.

Fabrice LeggeriImage: NDR

He’s said to be responsible for many of the scandals - and now sits in the EU Parliament for the far right. The documentary also investigates claims of recent illegal pushbacks.
 

Broadcasting Hours: 

DW English

WED 05.03.2025 – 01:15 UTC
WED 05.03.2025 – 04:15 UTC
THU 06.03.2025 – 09:15 UTC
THU 06.03.2025 – 16:15 UTC
THU 06.03.2025 – 21:15 UTC
FRI 07.03.2025 – 12:15 UTC
SAT 08.03.2025 – 02:15 UTC
SUN 09.03.2025 – 08:15 UTC

Lagos UTC +1 | Cape Town UTC +2 | Nairobi UTC +3
Delhi UTC +5,5 | Bangkok UTC +7 | Hong Kong UTC +8
London UTC +/-0 | Berlin UTC +1 | Moscow UTC +3
San Francisco UTC -8 | Edmonton UTC -7 | New York UTC -5
From March 09:
San Francisco UTC -7 | Edmonton UTC -6 | New York UTC -4
 

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