The last decade saw the establishment of an European Union agency, FRONTEX, which
was made in charge of the common border security polity established by the Schengen aquis
which abolished all internal borders for the free movement of persons. Taking this
development and its results under scrutiny, this paper will try to give an answer to the
following research question: How does the actual application of the Schengen aquis by
institutionalizing it in an agency (FRONTEX) affect or transform the border regimes of
Member States in particular and the European Union in general? The methodology will
consist of an analysis of the legal and deriving organizational design of the agency itself, and
as well in describing the operational design of a distinctive FRONTEX deployment. Taking a
closer look at the FRONTEX operations HERA I, II and III in particular shall help to define the
characteristics and implications of its results in promulgating a paradigm which points out to
the result the ongoing transformation of the European border security regime.
While being aware of the incentives to create agencies lie in their supposed apolitical nature
and ability to maintain policy continuity, which might also apply for the establishment of
FRONTEX as an European Union agency, the notorious and critical acclaim this institution
faces in the media is another incentive to take as a first step of the analysis a closer look at
the historic and legal roots of the agency its impact on the European border regime so far. This
will be followed by a description of the organization of FRONTEX and
how the agency operates in the operations HERA I, II and
III in the years 2006 and 2007.A paradigm will be drawn which
an answer on if
and how the European border regime is to transform.
Table of Contents
Introduction
1. The Schengen Aquis
1.a. Background
1.b. New Borders?
2. FRONTEX
2.a. Organisation
2.b. Mission
2.c. Operations
2.c.i. HERA I
2.c.ii. HERA II & III
3. HERA Paradigm
3.a. Internal Consequences for Border Regime
3.b. External Consequences
Conclusions
Research Objectives and Core Themes
This paper examines how the institutionalization of the Schengen acquis through the European agency FRONTEX transforms border regimes within Member States and the European Union. By analyzing the legal, organizational, and operational design—specifically focusing on the HERA operations—the study investigates the paradigm shift toward a militarized and externalized border security architecture.
- Institutional development and mandate of FRONTEX
- Legal and historical roots of the Schengen acquis
- Operational implementation of migration control in HERA I, II, and III
- Paradigm shift: Internalization vs. externalization of security
- Socio-political consequences of surveillance-led bordering
Excerpt from the Book
c. Operations
FRONTEX itself proclaimed that its most successful joint operation to date was ‘Operation Hera’, which was targeted countering the passageway for illegal migration, and the structures of organized crime that facilitated the diversion to West Africa with destination Canary Islands. Spain requested FRONTEX’ assistance in the Summer of 2006 when apparently the effective sealing of the Spanish enclaves Ceuta and Melilla at the North African coast against illegal migration diverted the stream of people elsewhere: Suddenly the Canary Islands experienced a significant increase of illegal migration from West Africa, arriving on the beaches of Tenerife and Fuerteventura in open fisherboats known as ‘cayucos’, a type of vessel originally constructed from light wood for coastal fishery at the African coast of the Atlantic.
Due to the boats being unfit for traveling the high seas from mainland Africa to the Canary Islands, especially if overcrowded with passengers paying a fortune and risking their lives to get to Europe, not all immigrants arrived on the islands. Too often drowned bodies were swept ashore on the tourist beaches of the Canary Island. Nevertheless, between January and August 2006 a total of 21536 illegal immigrants reached the Spanish archipelago alive and FRONTEX had its first deployment. It was coined ‘Operation HERA’
Summary of Chapters
Introduction: Outlines the research question regarding how the institutionalization of the Schengen acquis in FRONTEX affects European border regimes, establishing the methodology of analyzing legal design and specific operational deployments.
1. The Schengen Aquis: Provides a historical overview of the Schengen Agreement, tracing its development from internal market policy to a complex system of internal and external border controls.
2. FRONTEX: Details the organization's structure, mission, and the specific joint operations conducted between 2006 and 2007 under the HERA framework to manage migration flows.
3. HERA Paradigm: Analyzes the consequences of the HERA operations, arguing that they established a paradigm of externalizing border control and blurring the lines between internal and external security.
Conclusions: Summarizes the transformation of the European border regime into a flexible, surveillance-led architecture that merges internal and external policies, posing significant questions for human rights and transparency.
Keywords
FRONTEX, Schengen acquis, Operation HERA, Border Regime, Migration Control, European Union, External Borders, Internal Security, Externalization, Human Rights, Border Security, Surveillance, Transgovernmentalism, Governance, Gated Community Syndrome
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this research paper?
The paper focuses on the transformation of European border regimes resulting from the institutionalization of the Schengen acquis within the EU agency FRONTEX.
What are the central themes discussed in this work?
Key themes include the organizational structure of FRONTEX, the operational history of Operation HERA, the paradigm shift in security policies, and the impact of these developments on democratic accountability and human rights.
What is the primary research question?
The study asks how the actual application of the Schengen acquis, through the institutional mechanism of FRONTEX, affects or transforms the border regimes of individual Member States and the European Union as a whole.
Which scientific methodology does the author apply?
The methodology involves a combined analysis of the legal and organizational design of FRONTEX, complemented by a descriptive case study of the operational deployment of HERA I, II, and III.
What topics are covered in the main section?
The main section covers the history of the Schengen acquis, the organizational structure and mission of FRONTEX, a detailed breakdown of the HERA operations, and the subsequent consequences for internal and external border security paradigms.
Which keywords best characterize this publication?
Relevant keywords include FRONTEX, Schengen acquis, Operation HERA, border regime, migration control, externalization, and European security architecture.
How does the HERA operation reflect the concept of 'remote control policies'?
The HERA operation exemplifies remote control by shifting migration management beyond traditional borders into third-country territories, using patrols in transit waters to divert migrants before they reach European shores.
What does the author mean by the 'Gated Community Syndrome' in the context of the Schengen area?
The term describes a phenomenon where the pursuit of internal security creates a "gated" mentality, signaling distrust towards external neighbors and hardening external borders to protect the internal space.
What concerns does the author raise regarding the transformation of the border regime?
The author highlights the danger that a militarized security architecture, merging police and intelligence resources, may diminish transparency and potentially violate the rights of refugees and EU citizens.
- Quote paper
- Johannes Wiedemann (Author), 2011, Transformation of the European Border Regime, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/175481
