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SARAJEVO, November 14 (FENA) - The United Nations in BiH urges authorities in the Una Sana Canton not to restrict the freedom of movement of migrants and asylum seekers and for State authorities to immediately identify a viable new location for migrant reception and accommodation.
On 13 November 2019, the Operational Group for Resolving the Migration Crisis in the Una Sana Canton took the decision to introduce a lockdown of the reception centers Bira in Bihać and Miral in Velika Kladuša.
Such measures will prohibit migrants and asylum seekers, including unaccompanied children from entering or leaving the two centers, unless doing so to attempt crossing the border into Croatia.
The UN fully recognizes the disproportionate burden borne by the Una Sana Canton authorities and local communities affected by the high number of migrants and asylum seekers without adequate means or solutions.
Notwithstanding, the UN reminds the authorities that the two centers in question were established in coordination with the Ministry of Security and are recognized as formal Temporary Reception Centers by the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina [Official Gazette 28/19, VM 46/19, 11 March 2019].
It is clear that until further notice this decision remains in force. According to Bosnia and Herzegovina Law on Asylum (2016) persons who have expressed an intention to apply for asylum in Bosnia and Herzegovina have the legal right to stay in the country including full freedom of movement, and there is hence no basis under the applicable Bosnia and Herzegovina legislation for restricting their freedom of movement.
The right to freedom of movement is also enshrined in international human rights and refugee law applicable in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Migrants and asylum seekers enjoy the right to be free from arbitrary restrictions on liberty.
Restriction of freedom of movement of migrants and asylum seekers have to be based on an individual assessment and not in a collective manner as the measure implies. The effects of keeping persons in detention, as witnessed during previously enforced lockdowns of the Bira reception center include acute stress, anxiety and fear; and high tensions that escalate to violence. In light of the above, the UN strongly urges the authorities not to implement the decision to restrict the freedom of movement of migrants and asylum seekers in the Una Sana Canton.
Furthermore, according to the Minister of Interior of the Una Sana Canton, the Vučjak site will remain as the only location to which apprehended migrants and asylum seekers in Una Sana Canton will be placed, until a new reception center outside of the Canton will be established.
The UN reiterates its grave concerns over the inhumane and now rapidly deteriorating conditions of the Vučjak site, highlighted by the UN Special Rapporteur on the human rights of migrants, Mr. Felipe Gonzalez Morales, in his end-of-visit statement on 1 October 2019, in the UNCT Joint Statement on 14 June 2019 and again on 16 October 2019. The UN implores State authorities to immediately identify and make available new locations, preferably outside of Una Sana Canton.
The UN reiterates its commitment to support authorities in the operationalization of new accommodation sites, stated the UN Office in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
(FENA) S. R.
