Abolish Frontex activities at World Refugee Day – Abolish Frontex European Campaign

In several countries actions and other activities were organised on and around World Refugee Day, 20 June 2025, following the call for actions to ‘Abolish Frontex and stop the expansion of Fortress Europe‘. A short impressium:

Belgium

The Belgian Abolish Frontex group organised a walk without borders in the European quarter in Brussels, on the theme of ’Who benefits from crime? An investigation led by artists who brilliantly rose to the challenge while deciphering the inner workings of the militarisation of borders and its victims.

“The constant anti-migration measures adopted by the European institutions, under the insistent fallacious pretext of ‘security’ measures, are trying to suffocate us in order to normalise and pretend that rampant militarisation is essential. But who is behind all these misleading declarations? It’s obvious that, as always, there are winners behind the speeches that insist on the absolute need for defense and this arms race.

Our question : who profits from this crime?

An investigation was carried out with the help of renowned inspectors and the exceptional presence of Oursoula Von der Linceuil, diplomats, lobbyists, Carinas volunteers and the Frontex director. A meticulous investigation was carried out in the streets of Brussels to the sound of brass bands, accompanied by singers, music and dance.

With the participation of the artists Johara Belhmane, Kevin Lerat, Matthieu Thonon, Marie-Laure Vrancken and Raoul Les Mécaniques.

The ballade lasted 3.5 hours and ended in front of the European Parliament, where speeches allowed us to draw collective conclusions. Our way, to show our support for the people who try to reach Fortress Europe.”

Germany

In Berlin there was a poster action on the German financial contribution to Frontex (posters are available here) Website) and a critical bike tour about border profiteers in Berlin. In Aachen ‘Abolish Frontex’ was painted on the street for the visit of European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. And in Bonn there was an Abolish Frontex picnic against borders.

Italy

In Italy, with a press conference, an internal workshop and a launch event, Refugees in Libya and Alliance with Refugees in Libya started a new campaign ‘Stop Memorandum Italy-Libya‘ against the automatic renewal of the infamous memorandum on migration cooperation between the two countries. The campaign also includes the demand to ‘Stop Frontex sending coordinates of refugee boats to Libyan criminal militias’.

The Netherlands

In The Netherlands the action day coincided with the lead-up to the NATO Summit in The Hague, where NATO members agreed to drastic increases in military spending. There were several actions and other activities regarding this summit, including two workshops on border militarisation, Frontex and the role of NATO at the Countersummit and the NeeTo action camp.