Since the Treaty of Maastricht, and particularly since the creation of the Area of Freedom, Security and Justice in the European Union (EU), police cooperation has been developed as a common policy between the Member States. This article analyses how human rights standards have been integrated in the strategic programs that pertain to EU police co-operation. Moreover, the article provides an overview of human rights norms in some EU legal instruments as well as the relevant agencies. This leads to a focus on the mandate and role of European institutions and oversight bodies, such as the European Parliament, the European Court of Justice, the European Data Protection Supervisor and the Fundamental Rights Agency with regard to the activities of Europol, Frontex and CEPOL. Finally, the article identifies some voids in the academic attention for the interface between EU police cooperation and human rights, leading
to the formulation of some recommendations.