14 October 2016
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After the publication of: Shoot First: Coast Guard Fired at Migrant Boats, European Border Agency Documents Show (The Intercept, link) and full file: Serious Incident Reports (190 pages, pdf) 42 Members of the European Parliament wrote to Frontex: Letter to Mr Fabrice Leggeri, Executive Director of Frontex concerning "Shoot First" policy (pdf).
The Director of Frontex has now responded to the MEPs' Letter: Response to Letter from MEPs on: Recurrent use of weapons by coast guards within Frontex operations (pdf):
Frontex Executive Director, Fabrice Leggeri replies that in: "half of the incidents reported, the weapons were shot into the air, with no possible harm to anyone and thus in full respect of the principles of necessity and proportionality."
He seems to be unaware of how frightening it is for shots to be fired "in the air" or towards a boat of refugees.
In the remaining cases (that is half): "shots were fired upon attempts by facilitators to violently ram the patrol vessel... officers are entitled to the right of self-defence."
When it comes down to specific cases they come under each EU Member States' law - Frontex is not responsible.
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