The Mediterranean remains one of the world's deadliest sea migration routes. During the first six months of 2026, at least 1,410 people died or went missing while attempting to reach Europe by sea, according to the International Organization for Migration (IOM). Since 2014, more than 35,000 people have lost their lives or gone missing while seeking safety, protection or a better life in Europe. To save migrants in distress at sea, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) deploy search and rescue (SAR) vessels in the Central Mediterranean but continue to face legal and administrative obstacles.

FRA’s second Migration Bulletin for 2026 shows continued fundamental rights challenges at the external borders, and for displaced people from Ukraine. Persistent risks to life, as well as allegations of violence, summary returns and restricted access to asylum, remain a concern. Investigations of rights violations at borders remain inadequate, despite increasing judicial scrutiny and monitoring in some EU Member States. The Pact on Migration and Asylum, which entered into application in June 2026, brings new obligations for Member States with respect to fundamental rights of migrants, asylum applicants and refugees.

FRA delivered a presentation to Hungarian stakeholders on the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum and its fundamental rights implications at a conference organised by UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) Regional Representation for Central Europe in partnership with ELTE University of Budapest.

On 9 July, FRA attended a meeting organised by the European Commission with EU Member States and relevant EU Justice and Home Affairs agencies to discuss the European Annual Asylum and Migration Report.

FRA delivered a presentation on EU law safeguards to prevent and address labour exploitation among non-EU workers during a training seminar. FRA’s focus was on the practical implementation of safeguards by labour inspectors, drawing on the key recommendations of FRA’s Manual for Labour Inspectors.