Berlin, 06.05.2026 – On the 6th and 7th of May, the European Police Congress takes place in Berlin. Today, the search and rescue organization Sea-Watch organized a protest in front of the conference venue. Under the slogan „34.850 deaths in the Mediterranean – Arrest Frontex“, the protesters layed out life vests in rememberence of all persons dead or missing at sea. Amid ongoing accusations of serious human rights abuses and involvement in crimes against humanity, Sea-Watch urges that those responsible be brought to justice and that the EU border agency be abolished.
Frontex has faced sustained criticism for its alleged involvement in numerous human rights violations, or for operationally enabling them. These include pushbacks actions considered illegal under international law and often carried out with severe violence where people on the move are forcibly returned. Frontex is also accused of coordinating the unlawful abductions of refugees back to Libya through the so-called Libyan coast guard. According to UN assessments, people on the move in Libya are systematically subjected to torture, sexual violence, and slavery.
The former Frontex director, Fabrice Leggeri, is currently under investigation on suspicion of involvement in crimes against humanity and torture. Despite these allegations, Frontex is being prominently featured at the European Police Congress. Through its protest, Sea-Watch commemorates those who have died in the Mediterranean and calls for those responsible to be held accountable instead.
Sea-Watch spokesperson Giulia Messmer stated:
“As European counterpart to ICE, Frontex organizes violent deportations and actively conducts human rights violations. Instead of investing over one billion euros per year in Frontex, the EU must use the same money toprotect human rights and establish a state-led, search and rescue programme.”
Much like the U.S. agency ICE, Frontex, as the EU’s central border authority, implements Europe’s deterrence-focused border and migration policies. In recent years, Frontex’s annual budget has increased more than a hundredfold, reaching €1.124 billion in 2025. Rather than being used to save lives, these funds are spent on fortifying the EU’s external borders with barbed wire, drones, and AI-driven surveillance systems.
Since 2014, more than 34,850 people have died while attempting to cross the Mediterranean. Even at this stage, 2026 is already the deadliest year in a decade, with over 1,100 people confirmed dead or missing. The true number is believed to be significantly higher.
