EU Rights Agency flags serious gaps in border oversight, cites Greece's flawed monitoring

In its 2026 update, the EU Fundamental Rights Agency identified persistent shortcomings in the monitoring of fundamental rights at the Union’s external borders, describing the oversight mechanisms as largely ineffective. Although the European Commission promised a rights-monitoring body to counter the stricter migration policies of the new Migration and Asylum Pact, the mechanisms were not in place in all member states by the end of September, despite a June deadline.

Of the 22 states where mechanisms exist, most are understaffed, under-funded, and lack access to facilities and documents. Only six countries, Greece among them, have carried out initial on-site inspections. Greece delegated the monitoring role to the National Transparency Authority rather than an independent entity like the Ombudsman or the National Committee for Human Rights, and the agency’s methodology has been criticised as highly problematic.

The report records at least 322 criminal investigations into border violations from 2020-2025, with only nine convictions, and 192 disciplinary inquiries, 22 of which originated in Greece, none resulting in sanctions. It also cites ongoing concerns about mistreatment by border officials, including FRONTEX, and the failure of member states to follow up on serious allegations of inhumane treatment and mass expulsions.