1. Introduction; 2. At the external borders of the European Union; 3. Frontex Border Agency: contradiction and complexity; 4. The international responsibility of the EU and its member states in Frontex's joint operations; 5. The principle of non-refoulement in the EU legal setting; 6. Exploring the legal standing of protection. The ratione loci application of the principle of non-refoulement; 7. Frontex saving lives at sea; 8. The EU, Frontex, and non-refoulement: constructing scenarios; 9. General conclusions.