EU's Fundamental Rights Agency criticizes ‘ineffective' investigations into border abuses, urging stronger monitoring mechanisms
More than 3,500 people died or went missing while attempting to cross the sea to Europe in 2024, the EU's Fundamental Rights Agency (FRA) revealed on Tuesday in its annual report.
The Fundamental Rights Report 2025 highlighted key developments and gaps in the EU's rights landscape over the past year, with migration remaining a top concern.
Despite new EU asylum and migration rules, the report said rights violations at borders persisted and the lack of adequate search and rescue operations in the Mediterranean continued to put lives at risk.
According to International Organization for Migration (IOM) data cited in the report, 3,642 people died or went missing in 2024 while trying to reach Europe by sea, a slight drop from 4,088 in 2023.
The report criticizes “ineffective” investigations into border abuses and calls for strengthened monitoring mechanisms, better conditions for new arrivals, and support for civil society actors engaged in search and rescue who often face criminalization.
FRA also raised alarm over rising racism, antisemitism, and anti-Muslim hatred in the EU, noting that nearly half of Muslims in Europe experience racial discrimination.
"Fundamental rights in Europe are facing growing and serious challenges," FRA Director Sirpa Rautio said, urging EU countries to uphold their legal obligations to protect life and human dignity.
