The European Ombudsman has concluded that the European Commission failed to ensure adequate human rights protections when funding surveillance-related projects in Africa under its Emergency Trust Fund for Africa (EUTF), a €5 billion initiative created to address migration and instability across the continent.
Following a year-long investigation triggered by complaints from several civil society groups — including Privacy International, Access Now, FIDH, Homo Digitalis, and Sea-Watch — the Ombudsman found that the Commission “was not able to demonstrate that the measures in place ensured a coherent and structured approach to assessing the human rights impacts” of technology transfers with surveillance capabilities.
The inquiry revealed that EU-backed projects in multiple African countries involved supplying surveillance tools and training to local authorities, with insufficient oversight to prevent potential abuses such as unlawful tracking or political repression.
Calling this gap a “serious shortcoming,” the Ombudsman urged the Commission to require explicit human rights impact assessments and mitigation plans before approving future projects.
Human rights organizations welcomed the decision, describing it as a landmark moment for EU accountability.
“This marks a turning point for EU external policy and sets a precedent for protecting vulnerable communities,” said Ioannis Kouvakas of Privacy International.
“The EU can no longer turn a blind eye to the risks its funding creates,” added Marwa Fatafta of Access Now.
The ruling comes as the European Parliament continues its own investigation into the EU’s use of spyware and surveillance technologies abroad. Two additional complaints against Frontex and the European External Action Service (EEAS), filed by the same coalition, are still under review by the Ombudsman.
