56 Amendments of Saskia BRICMONT related to 2024/2030(DEC)
Amendment 1 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Notes the emphasis of matter to the annual accounts issued by the Court of Auditors (the ‘Court’); acknowledges the response of the European Union Agency for Criminal Justice Cooperation (Eurojust), notably that the high rate of late payments were due to technical difficulties in processing the transactions when using SUMMA, a new budgetary, accounting and financial system still in a pilot phase which is owned and managed by the Commission; takes note that DG BUDG is still in charge of granting and removing the access rights of SUMMA users and that in 2023 Eurojust placed SUMMA in its risk management register and maintained a continuous monitoring of the incidents;
Amendment 4 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Welcomes the factincrease in Eurojust’s budget in 2023 from EUR 67 million to EUR 88 million (+31%) and its staff from 285 to 298 (+5%); underlines that the casework carried out by Eurojust is steadilyhas increasing,ed in 2023 by 14%, more than 13 000 cases were handled by Eurojust, which also organised 577 Coordination Meetings and 21 Coordination Centres, provided legal, technical, financial and/or operational support to 288 Joint Investigation Teams, facilitated the execution of 1 259 European Arrest Warrants, contributed to the arrest of more than 4 200 suspects and the seizure and/or freezing of criminal assets worth over EUR 1 billion, drafted 1 013 operational deliverables in support to cases (analyses, legal notes etc.) and enabled the use of 6 299 European Investigation Orders; acknowledges Eurojust’s reply stressing that the agency has reviewed the procedure for registering and reporting non-compliance events;
Amendment 6 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Commends Eurojust’s efforts towards the digitalisation of justice, namely the implementation of a new Case Management System following the latest amendment to the Eurojust Regulation1 ,, and the implementation of the new JITs Collaboration Platform2 , and its efforts to fulfil its role; notes the role of Eurojust as the contact point for third countries and international organisations regarding ECRIS-TCN requests in the context of criminal proceedings; _________________ 1 Regulation (EU) 2023/2131 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 4 October 2023 amending Regulation (EU) 2018/1727 of the European Parliament and of the Council and Council Decision 2005/671/JHA, as regards digital information exchange in terrorism cases (OJ L, 2023/2131, 11.10.2023, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2023/2131/oj ). 2 Regulation (EU) 2023/969 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 10 May 2023 establishing a collaboration platform to support the functioning of joint investigation teams and amending Regulation (EU) 2018/1726 (OJ L, 2023/969, 17.5.2023, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2023/969/oj).
Amendment 9 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Notes with satisfaction the strong collaboration with the Justice and Home Affairs Agencies, notably the conclusion of a new working arrangement with European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF), the opening of 15 new cases where Eurojust supported European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) as well as the cooperation on 42 cases with European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Cooperation (Europol) including on; stresses that Eurojust and Europol launched a pilot project for the systematic and structural exchange of data for link detection purposes, which will be reviewed in the first half of 2024; welcomes the Eurojust-OLAF Action Plan 2022-2023 to fight crimes affecting the European Union’s financial interests;
Amendment 11 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Notes with satisfaction that Eurojust continues to support the Commissionthat Eurojust was involved in the revision of the negotiations of the international agreements on cooperation with Eurojust, between the Union and 13 third countries, that the Commission negotiates on behalf of the EU.
Amendment 15 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1 a. Expresses strong concern about the fact that the FRA’s budget in 2023 is the same than in 2022 (EUR 34 million) and that its staff has decreased by 4% (from 110 to 106 staff); repeats its concern that the FRA continues to suffer from financial and staff resources constraints and that this can affect the quality of work that the Agency provides which has proved to be extremely valuable for EU policy; finds the significant and increasing difference of resources allocated to JHA Agencies a worrying trend;
Amendment 18 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 b (new)
Paragraph 1 b (new)
1 b. Notes with satisfaction that FRA has a very high level of outturn which is above 99%; considers it an important indicator of sound financial management and respect of the budgetary principles;
Amendment 24 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Commends the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights’ (FRA) assistance tosupport to ensure the respect, protection and fulfilment of fundamental rights in existing and future EU laws and policies, including by assisting policymakers implementing existing EU law and policies in the field of equality and anti- discrimination, such as EU law and policies combating racism and antisemitism, supporting the collection of equality data and the implementation of equality and anti-racism strategies such as the national Roma strategic frameworks, and providing input for to the mid-term review of the 2020–2025 LGBTIQ equality strategy, and provide input for their review, the protection of civil society and of human rights defenders at risk, as well as supporting the revision of the victims’ rights directive, and advising on the implementation of the horizontal enabling conditions related to fundamental right for thefundamental rights compliance regarding the development and use of AI systems and the implementation and use of EU funds;
Amendment 33 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. EmphasisAppreciates FRA’s guidance and engagement in the area of asylum and migration, including cooperation with the European Union Asylum Agency (EUAA) to enhancing the understanding of guardians and legal representativesimportant areas such as asylum and migration, borders and interoperability, including cooperation with the European Union Asylum Agency (EUAA), Frontex and eu-LISA; welcomes FRA’s work in assisting unaccompanied children seeking international protection within the Union and, the training provided to staff of Europol enhancing awareness and understanding of fundamental rights considerations in relevant operational contexts; welcomes FRA’sin the field of law enforcement, the timely input on the temporary protection directive implementation in the context of refugees fleeing from Ukraine, as well as on identifying the challenges with regard to the implementation of Union law on long- term reside, fundamental rights compliance, and the list of actions the Union and its Member States can take to reduce fatalities at seat EU borders and in the framework of search and rescue operations;
Amendment 43 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Notes with satisfaction that FRA provided fundamental rights analysis and expertise to support the activities and work of other EU justice and home affairs (JHA) agencies, including the EUAA, Frontex, Europol, the European Union Agency for the Operational Management of Large- Scale IT Systems in the Area of Freedom, Security and Justice (eu-LISA), and European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Training (CEPOL), as well as the cooperation with international organisations; considers that agencies whose competences are being extended could be usefully assisted by FRA; reminds however that missions of assistance require providing FRA with enhanced resources;
Amendment 46 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Notes that in 2023, over 1,1 million applications for international protection (+18 % compared to 2022) were submitted, and more than 1 million decisions granting temporary protection were issued in 29 EU+ countries; highlights the substantial support EUAA has provided to Member States in that context;4 _________________ 4 EU+ countries include the Member States of the European Union (EU) as well as Schengen associated countries. calls for appropriate levels of funding to the EUAA, in particular if there is a significant increase of the tasks entrusted to the agency in the context of the implementation of the Pact on Migration and Asylum; regrets the transfer of EUR 17 million from EUAA to eu-LISA and considers that there was no duly justified explanation for it;
Amendment 50 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1 a. Notes the increase in the EUAA’s budget in 2023 from EUR 208 million to EUR 228 million (+10%) and its staff from 519 to 529 (+2%);
Amendment 51 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Welcomes the fact that the Asylum Reserve Pool became operational and, by the end of 2023, included close to 350 experts; regrets that due to delays in nominations by some Member States of their respective experts, the envisaged number, 500, was not yet reached; calls on Member States to comply with their obligations as regards national experts in order to avoid the need for the agency to rely on external contractors;
Amendment 56 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Welcomes the fact that the EUAA’s first fundamental rights officer (FRO) took office on 16 May 2023; appreciates the concepestablishment of a visible and easily accessible complaints mechanism developed by the FRO in consultation with the Commission and the Consultative Forum;
Amendment 57 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. WelcomNotes the adoption of the EUAA revised external cooperation strategy5 and strategy on vulnerability6 ; underlines that both should serve as a; regrets that in 2023, a fundamental rights strategy was not yet adopted; reminds the obligation of the agency to guarantee for the protection of fundamental rights in the asylum and reception systems of EU+ countries; _________________ 5 https://euaa.europa.eu/sites/default/files/p ublications/2023- 05/EUAA_External_Cooperation_Strateg y.pdf 6 https://euaa.europa.eu/sites/default/files/p ublications/2023- 12/EUAA_Vulnerability_Strategy.pdf, including in its cooperation with third countries;
Amendment 64 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Notes with concern the emphasis of matter to the annual accounts issued by the Court due to two active framework contracts; reiterates its concern that several observations form the Court from previous years are still ongoing; underlines the recurrent high rates of carry overs and recalls that this situation undermines the budgetary principle of annuality and are indicative of structural issues in the budget process and implementation cycle; calls on eu-LISA to follow up on the observations from the Court and to step up efforts to implement corrective actions in all remaining cases of non-compliance and to report to the discharge authority on the progress achieved; recalls that the European Parliament can use its power not to grant discharge in case recommendations would not effectively be followed up;
Amendment 65 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Acknowledges eu-LISA’s efforts to achieve theTakes note of eu-LISA’s objectives set for 2023 in the Single Programming Document 2023– 2025; notes with satisfactionfurther notes the full implementation of the renewed Schengen Information System (SIS) in March and the smooth integration of Cyprus to SIS in July 2023 and the integration of Croatia into Visa Information System (VIS);
Amendment 69 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Notes the new Interoperability roadmap; regretacknowledges that the new timeline for the roll-out and interoperability of EU information systems was necessary due to delays in development of the Entry/Exit System (EES), European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) and European Criminal Records Information System on third-country nationals (ECRIS- TCN); underlines that swift, effective, and reliable information exchange in accordance with the applicable legislation, is critical for sustaining and strengthening the Union’s area of freedom, security, and justice;
Amendment 70 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Welcomes the factStresses that eu-LISA started preparations for taking over the operational management of the e-CODEX system (e- Justice Communication via Online Data Exchange) and that also commenced preparations for the design and development of the Joint Investigation Teams collaboration platform (JITs CP) to provide secure electronic information exchange for cross-border criminal investigations.; notes the review of the rules for the prevention and management of conflict of interest concerning the representatives of the management board and of the advisory groups; calls on the agency to ensure there is no conflict of interest;
Amendment 74 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Notes the significant increase in returns, with Frontex exceeding its target of 20 000 by assisting 39 239 returns in total, including an impressive 87% increase in voluntary returns and a 20% rise in forced returns compared to 2022; welcomes the enhanced support provided to Member States in post-return and post- arrival assistance, withFrontex’s budget in 2023 from EUR 1 017 million to EUR 1 205 million (+18%) and its staff from 2 063 to 2 238 (+8%); stresses that Frontex is by large the agency that received more significant budget increases in the last years; recalls that Frontex exceeding its target of 5 000 cases in the Joint Reintegration System, successfully managing 6 438 cases in 2023budget has skyrocketed from EUR 118 million in 2011 to EUR 1 017 million in 2023; considers that this represents a disproportionate unbalance compared to other JHA Agencies;
Amendment 84 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Acknowledges the essential role that Frontex could plays in Search and Rescue (SAR) operations, with maritime and aerial assets deployed in joint operations responding to 785 incidents involving 43 508 migrants, underscoring the critical contribution of Frontex to humanitarian efforts and reiterates its call for the establishment of a comprehensive EU SAR mission implemented by the Member States’ competent authorities and Frontex;
Amendment 88 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Highlights the positiveDeplores the slow progress in implementing Fundamental Rights targets, including; acknowledges the ongoing execution of the Fundamental Rights Action Plan and the independent evaluation of the Agency’s compliance with the Fundamental Rights Framework, in line with the EBCG Regulation; welcomes the proactive follow-up by Frontexis concerned about the fact that the majority onf complaints related to fundamental rights, with the majority are being dismissed for non- admissibility; welcom, and considers that awareness about the complaints mechanism should be improved to strengthen its effectiveness; urges Frontex's to reinforced its commitment to transparency and accountability;
Amendment 90 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4 a. Highlights the recommendations of the FRO in its 2023 annual report, in particular the need to strengthen fundamental rights and procedural safeguards applicable to several areas and activities of Frontex, such as screening, debriefing and patrolling; underlines FRO’s opinions, particularly the opinion on suspending or terminating operations in Greece, the opinion relating to fundamental rights concerns regarding alerts to Libyan authorities in the context of the multipurpose aerial surveillance services provided by Frontex and the opinion of the use of force monitoring; expresses deep concern about the cases where national authorities were reluctant to provide access to relevant data for the purpose of the investigations or follow up cases or denied officers’ involvement in alleged fundamental rights violations; underlines the lack of reporting is a recurrent concern from the FRO; urges Frontex to implement all the recommendations from the FRO’s annual reports and to follow-up on FRO’s opinions;
Amendment 92 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Supports Frontex’s continuedConsiders necessary to step up efforts to strengthen itFrontex’s FRO,; notinges the employment of 46 Fundamental Rights Monitors (FRM) in 2023; stresses the importance of ensuring that all FRMs are recruited in AD grade, to further enhance their capacity and independence; recognises that Frontex has taken significant stepse steps taken in responding to the opinions of the FRO, particularly on issues such as gender mainstreaming and human traffickingin order to achieve better gender balance, especially in the context of joint operations, and stronger gender considerations in the context of recruiting, training and capacity building, career and work conditions and communication, as well as on addressing trafficking in human beings and protecting the victims, but consider them insufficient;
Amendment 97 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Notes with appreciation that most Fundamental Rights targets were met in 2023, contributing to a more robust and rights-based approach to Frontex operations; calls for continued focus on implementing concreUrges to further strengthening Frontex’s human rights framework; takes the position that the Management Board should play a proactive role in identifying and preventing serious risk of fundamental rights violations; reiterates the importance to implement the standard operating procedures to withdraw the financing of, or suspend or terminate, or not launch Frontex actions based on tvities in cases whe recommendations of the FRO and for further such risks arise; urges the Management Board to strengthen ing Frontex’s human rights frameworkternal oversight structures as well as cooperation and communication with competent administrative and judicial authorities and independent civil society actors in host Member States;
Amendment 100 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Acknowledges the submissiDeplores that collective expulsions and ill-treatment of migrants constituted one of 104 serious incident reports in 2023, 48 of which were related to fundamental rights, which also highlights Frontex's commitment to transparency, accountability, and continuous improvementthe main areas of concern for the FRO during 2023; stresses that the FRO processed numerous serious incident reports based on persistent allegations related to collective expulsions and ill- treatment of migrants; underlines the outcome of the European Ombudsman inquiry regarding the role of Frontex in rescue operations after Greek boat tragedy; urges Frontex to show real commitment to transparency, accountability, and incentivise serious incident reporting and effective investigations;
Amendment 103 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Calls onUrges Frontex to prioritiseensure, without further delay, the full implementation of all outstandingthe recommendations from European audit and scrutiny bodies, particularly OLAF and those from the European Parliament’s Frontex Scrutiny Working Group, the European Ombudsman, the Court, and the Frontex Working Group on Fundamental Rights and Legal Operational Aspects of Operations (WG FRaLO);
Amendment 105 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 8 a (new)
Paragraph 8 a (new)
8 a. Recalls that the Frontex structural problems regarding fundamental rights protection of asylum seekers and migrants, transparency, data protection, and alleged sexual harassment within the agency led the European Parliament to refuse discharge of the agency’s 2020 budget;
Amendment 107 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 8 b (new)
Paragraph 8 b (new)
8 b. Reiterates that the increased competences and budget of Frontex need to be accompanied with a corresponding increase in accountability and transparency, as well as full respect for and protection of fundamental rights; stresses that the granting of discharge in respect of the implementation of the budget of the agency is conditional on such accountability and transparency, and fundamental rights compliance;
Amendment 110 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Notes the Court’s observationsemphasis of matter to the annual accounts issued by the Court regarding the calculation of contributions from Schengen associated countries (SAC), which were raised in 2022; acknowledges the clarificationtakes note of Frontex’s reply that these calculations follow established practices endorsed by the Management Board and the Commission; encouragescalls on the Commission to review these agreements to ensure greater consistency in the method of setting contributions to the Union and its agencies;
Amendment 111 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 9 a (new)
Paragraph 9 a (new)
9 a. Stresses that there were significant carry-overs in 2023 and recalls that the recurrent high rates of carry-overs undermine the budgetary principle of annuality and are indicative of structural issues in the budget process and implementation cycle; reiterates its concern that several observations form the Court from previous years are still ongoing; calls on Frontex to follow up on the observations from the Court and to implement corrective actions in all remaining cases of non-compliance and to report to the discharge authority on the progress achieved;
Amendment 112 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 9 b (new)
Paragraph 9 b (new)
9 b. Recommends the Committee on Budgetary Control to postpone granting the discharge in respect of the implementation of the Agency’s budget for the financial year 2023, until the structural shortcomings related to respect by Frontex of its fundamental rights obligations have been fully addressed.
Amendment 113 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
Amendment 120 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1 a. Highlights that when auditing payments under a framework contract for travel and events organization services, the Court observed that CEPOL monitored contract consumption at the level of payments rather than budgetary commitments; agrees with the Court that this approach does not comply with Article 111 of the EU Financial Regulation;
Amendment 121 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 b (new)
Paragraph 1 b (new)
1 b. Expresses concern about the revelations regarding trainings provided by CEPOL on surveillance techniques to security authorities in third countries which have questionable human rights standards9a; urges CEPOL to conduct fundamental rights impact assessments before providing such trainings and to make them publicly available; _________________ 9a https://www.statewatch.org/news/2024/jul y/how-the-eu-police-training-agency-is- cosying-up-to-the-arab-league-s-political- extradition-body/
Amendment 126 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Notes that on 1 July 2023, the new Regulation of the European Union Drugs Agency (EUDA)8 , repealing and replacing the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA) Regulation9 , entered into force and welcomes the new, broader mandate for the EMCDDA; _________________ 8 Regulation (EU) 2023/1322 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 27 June 2023 on the European Union Drugs Agency (EUDA) and repealing Regulation (EC) No 1920/2006 (OJ L, 2023/1322, 30.6.2023, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2023/1322/oj ). 9 Regulation (EC) No 1920/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 12 December 2006 on the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (OJ L, 1920/2006, 27.12.2006, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2006/1920/oj ).recalls that the EUDA Regulation aims at addressing the drugs phenomenon in a holistic and evidence- based approach and calls on the agency to ensure the full implementation of its new mandate;
Amendment 127 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1 a. Notes the increase in the EUDA’s budget in 2023 from EUR 26 million to EUR 29 million (+13%) and the reduction of its staff from 110 to 101 (-1%);
Amendment 128 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Welcomes the fact that EMCDDA continued to implementcontinuous efforts from EUDA to implement its mandate, including the EU Early Warning System (EWS) in collaboration with partners in Member States and, as a result,; notes that 26 new psychoactive substances (NPS) were notified; notes and that the total number of NPS currently monitored is approximately 950; appreciates the technical report on Hexahydrocannabinol (HHC) and related substancess published by the agency;
Amendment 129 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Acknowledges that EMCDUDA produced 30 scientific and institutional publications in 2023, and also authored or co-authored 14 scientific articles and book chapters, enhancing the agency’s scientific reputation; appreciates the scientific and evidence-based expertise provided by the agency;
Amendment 132 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
Amendment 134 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Notes with satisfaction that EMCDUDA provided regular support and information on cannabisdrug policies to national policymakers and coordinated preparatory scientific reviews of cannabis- drug-related harm, treatment and harm- reduction practices;
Amendment 135 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Highlights that EMCDDA trained more than 3 300 professionals working in the drugs field, including health workers, law enforcement officers and policymakers within and outside the Union and that the eight webinars organised by EMCDDA were attended by approximately 4 800 professionals; welcomes the cooperation with CEPOL and Europolother EU Agencies.
Amendment 136 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. RecallsIs concerned about the Court’s observation on the legality and regularity of transactions connected to an operational grant intended to fund the activities of a national police force in a Member State; notes that the Court highlightconcluded that part of the grant, amounting to EUR 279 000, was irregular; welcomes Europol’s decision to ensure that VATunderlines that at the request of the Court, Europol identified other grants through which VAT was reimbursed for similar activities in 2023, leading to irregular payments; takes note of Europol’s reply that Europol will no longer be considered VAT an eligible cost for operational grants, reinforcing its commitment to financial transparencyhence ensuring its compliance with the Financial Regulation 2018/1046;
Amendment 137 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1 a. Expresses strong concern regarding the inquiry launched by the European Ombudsman regarding the potential conflict of interest of Europol staff cooperating with the private company Thorn in the context of the child sexual abuse regulation13a; urges Europol to implement the necessary measures to ensure there is no conflict of interest; _________________ 13a https://www.ombudsman.europa.eu/en/cas e/en/65144
Amendment 138 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 b (new)
Paragraph 1 b (new)
1 b. Recalls that in accordance to Article 68(1) of Europol’s Regulation, by 1 May 2022 and every five years thereafter, the Commission shall ensure that an evaluation assessing, in particular, the impact, effectiveness and efficiency of Europol and of its working practices is carried out; further recalls that in accordance to Article 51(3), Europol shall transmit the following documents, for information purposes, to the JPSG; deplores that no evaluation has never been carried; recalls that carrying out an evaluation is a pre-condition to any potential revision of Europol’s mandate; calls on the Commission not to further delay the elaboration of such evaluation and on Europol to provide the necessary information to the Commission for this purpose;
Amendment 140 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Notes with satisfaction that, in 2023, Europol accepted 107 856 operational contributions, supported 3 155 operations, established 27 Operational Task Forces, delivered 21 096 first line SIENA responses, and provided increased operational information capabilities to national authorities, Member States and third parties;
Amendment 141 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Commends the successfulNotes the deployment of PERCI (EU Platform on Illegal Content Online), particularly with the full implementation of the European Data Protection Supervisor (EDPS) recommendations; is concerned about the enhanced and non-transparent cooperation between Europol and Frontex; appreciates the strong cooperation with EDPS and the joint working group established with Frontex to follow up on EDPS’ recommendations in relation to Frontex’s PeDRA (Processing personal data for risk analysis) programme where; recalls that the PeDRA programme allows Frontex border guards to collect sensitive personal data from migrants and asylum seekers to process and share it with Europol and security agencies of Member States, and to scan social media profiles; considers however that if both agencies truly share a strong interest in protecting fundamental rights while advancing security, the EDPS recommendations could be implemented immediately;
Amendment 143 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3 a. Requests that cooperation between Europol and other JHA Agency is fully transparent and accountability ensured; calls on the Europol to take measures to ensure full compliance with EU transparency rules as well as with fundamental rights and data protection standards;
Amendment 145 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Welcomes the implementation of the Europol Regulation11 as amended in 2022, especially the swift appointment of an FRO in January 2023, marking a significant step towards enhancing Europol’s commitment to human rights in its operations; _________________ 11 Regulation (EU) 2016/794 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 May 2016 on the European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Cooperation (Europol) and replacing and repealing Council Decisions 2009/371/JHA, 2009/934/JHA, 2009/935/JHA, 2009/936/JHA and 2009/968/JHA (OJ L, 2016/794, 24.5.2016, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2016/794/oj).expects that the FRO will show professionalism, independence, transparency and accountability, and that he will be up to the task that he is entrusted to;
Amendment 146 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4 a. Reiterates that the increased competences and budget of Europol need to be accompanied with a corresponding increase in accountability and transparency, as well as full respect for and protection of fundamental rights; stresses that the granting of discharge in respect of the implementation of the budget of the agency is conditional on such accountability and transparency, and fundamental rights compliance;
Amendment 149 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Appreciates Europol’s ongoing and invaluable support to Ukraine, particularly through its participation in the Joint Investigation Team focused on investigating alleged core international crimes committed in Ukraine; notes with satisfaction the creation of an Operational Task Force (OTF) aimed at providing targeted support to ongoing investigations into war crimes, showcasing Europol’s crucial role in international justice and accountability;
Amendment 151 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Further acknowledges the Commission's efforts towards a stronger and more secure Europe, as outlined by President Ursula von der Leyen in her statement of 2024; calls on the Commission to double Europol's staff and recognise Europol’s central role in ensuring security across the Union and its capacity to respond to emerging threats; further underlines that this expansion will further enhance Europol's ability to support Member States in combating serious and organised crime, both online and offline, thereby contributing to a safer and more secure Europe for all.Recommends the Committee on Budgetary Control to postpone granting the discharge in respect of the implementation of the Agency’s budget for the financial year 2023, until the inquiry of the EU Ombudsman is concluded;
Amendment 156 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6 a. Part IX - JHA Agencies Calls on all JHA Agencies to take measures to ensure full compliance with EU transparency rules as well as with fundamental rights and data protection standards; considers that the disclosure of meetings and interactions between JHA Agencies and third parties is required to ensure enhanced transparency by JHA Agencies; urges JHA Agencies to step up efforts in this direction;
Amendment 157 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 b (new)
Paragraph 6 b (new)
6 b. Calls on all JHA agencies to take the necessary efforts to ensure sustainability in their overall business processes in order to improve the agencies’ environmental performance, and to systematically report to the discharge authority on implemented measures and progress; takes note of the results of the survey report on JHA Agencies’ environmental and greening activities;
Amendment 158 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 c (new)
Paragraph 6 c (new)
6 c. Regrets the lack of gender balance and diversity in the Management Boards and within the staff of JHA Agencies in general, particularly in management positions; calls on all JHA agencies to ensure a gender balanced distribution on all levels of staff and report to the discharge authority on implemented measures and progress; further calls on all JHA Agencies to develop internal policies and practice to ensure inclusiveness and diversity, and prevent any type of discrimination; asks the Court to systematically inform about it in its future reports;
Amendment 159 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 d (new)
Paragraph 6 d (new)
6 d. Urges all JHA agencies to have in place a clear and well-functioning anti- harassment policy to prevent, firmly condemn and address any such behaviour within the organisation;