This mémoire examines how far human rights protection has been enhanced in the mandates of Frontex and how the de jure development is reflected in the practice of Frontex operations. A document analysis of documents by EU institutions, IOs and NGOs on operations Hera, Poseidon and Triton demonstrates that there is a discrepancy between the improvements of the legal framework for the protection of human rights and the reality on the ground during Frontex operations. After the so-called “migration crisis” of 2015, Frontex embraced a securitarian approach of borders control aimed at fighting smugglers resulting in the violation of the rights of migrants. It is argued that humanitarian language is instrumentalised to justify restrictive policy.