*[Enwl-eng] A message from Luisa and Arne

[ENWL]

Hi,

Today, we are writing to sincerely thank you for your support over the past 
year.

One year ago, you signed a petition calling on Frontex, the EU border 
police, to stop its intimidations against activists like us. After we had 
lost our transparency lawsuit against the border agency, Frontex had sent us 
an invoice claiming €23,700 in legal fees. [1]

Demanding such a large amount of money from two activists had a clear 
intention: to create a chilling effect to stop us - and anyone else - from 
taking them to court again.

With you, more than 87,000 citizens stood by us and demanded Frontex drop 
their invoice for legal fees. [2] Unfortunately, Frontex chose not to listen 
and instead they doubled down, taking us to court in order to force us to 
pay.

Today, we finally share with you some good news: the EU court has ruled that 
Frontex’s demand for legal fees was indeed excessive. The court has ordered 
that €10,520 - less than half of what Frontex had initially demanded - is 
the justifiable amount. [3]

To us, this proves that Frontex was in no need to demand such a large amount 
of money from us. Their invoice and lawsuit, rather than a financial need, 
was a message of intimidation against critical civil society.

What’s even better: the European Parliament has called on Frontex to drop 
its demand for legal fees - and to never demand this kind of legal costs 
again. This strong, important stance taken by the Parliament is 
unprecedented! [4]

In light of all of these developments, we’d like to thank you for standing 
up to Frontex’s abuse, and defending activists’ right to investigate, 
question and hold Frontex accountable.

Your support and taking a stance matters now more than ever. After a series 
of investigations shed some light into what is actually happening during 
Frontex’s operations and behind closed doors, the border agency is now 
facing three different investigations; the agency stands accused, among 
other things, of human rights violations, misconduct and harassment, and 
lying to the European Parliament. [5]

We will continue to investigate and challenge Frontex’s actions - the agency’s 
efforts to intimidate us do not stand a chance.

So, once again, thank you for having supported our fight, and having taken a 
stance against abuse of power. As the work to hold Frontex accountable 
continues, we hope to meet you again, soon.

Kind regards from Brussels and Berlin,
Luisa and Arne

References:
[1] https://fragdenstaat.de/en/aktionen/frontex/
[2] 
https://act.wemove.eu/campaigns/luisa-arne-vs-frontex-en?utm_source=civimail-37245&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=20210506_EN
[3] https://fragdenstaat.de/en/blog/2021/04/19/frontex-costs-eu-court/
[4] 
https://fragdenstaat.de/en/blog/2021/05/04/frontex-excessive-fees-parliament/
[5] 
https://www.statewatch.org/analyses/2021/frontex-investigations-what-changes-in-the-eu-border-agency-s-accountability/



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From: Luisa & Arne
Sent: Tuesday, May 11, 2021 6:02 PM
Subject: A message from Luisa and Arne

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