Security Ministry of BiH has 72 hours to relocate migrants from Miral outside of Una-Sana Canton

BIHAĆ, (Patria) - An expanded meeting of the Operational Group for coordinating activities and monitoring the migrant crisis in the Una-Sana Canton was held in Bihać today, attended by representatives of IOM and UNHCR.

Due to the aggravated situation, caused by the consequences of the excessive influx of migrants into this area, which endangers public health, safety, and the rights of the citizens of Una-Sana Canton, the Operational Group of Una-Sana Canton, based on the Conclusions of the Assembly of Una-Sana Canton and the City Councils of Bihać and Velika Kladuša, adopted the following conclusions at today's meeting with the aim of further preserving the security and health-epidemiological situation:

1. The conclusions and measures adopted at the expanded meeting of the Operational Group for coordinating activities and monitoring the migrant crisis in the Una-Sana Canton on September 2, 2020, remain in force, and include: deterring further influx of migrants into the Una-Sana Canton, prohibiting the transport of migrants by any means of transport, prohibiting the movement and gathering of migrants in public areas, and prohibiting the provision of accommodation services to migrants.

2. The Ministry of Health and Social Policy of the Una-Sana Canton Government is tasked with organizing, tomorrow (Wednesday, September 30), in cooperation with the Center for Social Work, Bihać, IOM, and with the assistance of the Police Administration of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Una-Sana Canton, the temporary relocation of minor migrants from the Bira center to the reception center for vulnerable categories, Borići, in Bihać.

3. The Minister of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Una-Sana Canton and the Police Commissioner of Una-Sana Canton are tasked with, immediately after the relocation of unaccompanied minors from the Bira center in Bihać, organizing the relocation of other users of that center to the Lipa site in Bihać, with the aim of closing the Bira camp. The relocation of migrants found outside of accommodation in the area of the city of Bihać should also be organized to the Lipa site.

4. The Minister of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Una-Sana Canton and the Police Commissioner are tasked with the Police Administration of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Una-Sana Canton blocking the temporary reception camp in Miral in Velika Kladuša, in order to prevent further admission of migrants to this camp and with the aim of its closure.

5. The Ministry of Security of the Council of Ministers of BiH is requested to, in cooperation with UN agencies, organize the relocation of migrants from the Miral center to available capacities of state-managed camps, outside the Una-Sana Canton, within 72 hours.

6. IOM is requested to organize urgent medical transport and care for vulnerable categories of migrants, in accordance with needs.

7. The Red Cross of Una-Sana Canton is tasked with continuing to organize meal distribution for migrants in reception camps and coordinating humanitarian activities of non-governmental organizations and individuals.