Serious concerns have been expressed in Bosnia at the forcible transfer of large numbers of migrants to an already overcrowded and dangerous accommodation centre.
The Vucjak centre, near Bihac on the Bosnia-Croatia border has been repeatedly slammed by UN Agencies as “inappropriate and inadequate for accommodating human beings” yet in recent days over 1,000 people have been forcibly moved to the site by Bosnian police.
A joint UN Bosnia Country Team statement noted “significant safety and health risks at Vucjak; the location falls well short of international humanitarian standards.”
IOM’s sub-regional coordinator of the Western Balkans, Peter Van Der Auweraert says the clock is ticking.
“With winter around the corner, humanitarian conditions for migrants in Bosnia and Herzegovina are getting dire for those staying outside the official accommodation centres,” he said.
Local authorities claim that 150 people are arriving every night in Bihac, ready to attempt the risky crossing into EU member state Croatia.
The Vucjak site is located close to areas infested by landmines, with a high risk of fire and explosions due to possible underground pockets of methane gas. Vucjak lacks electricity, running water and medical care, and has very few sanitation facilities.
The recent declaration of the Mayor of Bihac that the Municipality and local Red Cross will cease all assistance to the migrants forcibly relocated to the Vucjak site was described in the UN statement as “especially alarming” as assistance was already insufficient before the latest group of migrants was transferred.
“This decision, if implemented, together with continued relocation efforts, risks a possible humanitarian emergency at the Vucjak site”, warned the UN.
The statement called on the authorities to identify – at the earliest opportunity – alternate, safe and secure accommodation in line with national and international laws and obligations; humanitarian principles and practices; and with the full guarantee of rights of migrants, refugees and asylum seekers.
Original source: IOM
Published on 17 October 2019
