IOM's reaction after Dodik's statement on the sterilization of RS from migrants

(Patria) - Peter Van der Auweraert, head of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina, stated that what is happening in BiH is mostly transit migration. This means that migrants mostly see BiH as a country they are just passing through on their way to various parts of the European Union, through Croatia, Slovenia, and beyond.

The main challenge for the country is how to ensure that, on the one hand, those migrants passing through its territory have access to humanitarian aid and protection of their basic human rights in accordance with national and international laws, and on the other hand, that the small number of those seeking international protection in BiH as refugees have access to an effective and efficient asylum process in accordance with international refugee law, said Van der Auweraert, N1 reports.

"Where migrants will be accommodated while they are on the territory of BiH is a decision made by the state Council of Ministers, which has exclusive jurisdiction in this regard in accordance with the laws of BiH.

The role of IOM is to, together with partners, provide support for the establishment and management of such accommodation at locations designated by the authorities. Currently, these accommodation capacities are mainly located in two cantons, Sarajevo and Una-Sana. The latter is attractive to a large number of migrants due to its geographical location, i.e., because it is close to Slovenia, the first Schengen country that migrants can reach from BiH," Van der Auweraert reminded.

IOM supports efforts to approach the migration situation as an issue affecting the country as a whole, not just a few cantons. This is how other countries, such as Serbia, act in similar situations, and BiH could easily apply a similar approach in this regard.

"Closing borders is rarely completely successful in practice, and in any case, it must be done while respecting the right to access the asylum process. In the past two years, the efforts of the BiH Border Police have intensified, but migrants have continued to arrive, mainly from Serbia, and to a lesser extent from Montenegro. Similarly, deporting migrants is rarely as simple as it seems," said the head of the International Organization for Migration mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina, adding:

"First, this can only be done in accordance with national and international law, especially international law concerning refugees. Essentially, all migrant requests for international protection in BiH should be considered and a decision should be made on them, and only after a final negative decision can they be returned to their country of origin.

In addition, BiH must also respect what is called the 'non-refoulement principle' in the international human rights conventions that the country has signed. This means that even those individuals who do not qualify for refugee status cannot be returned to their country of origin if they would be in danger there.

Second, even if these conditions are met, forced return is not always easy in practice, especially in cases where migrants do not have identification documents, given that the first step in return is to determine the person's citizenship. IOM provides support for voluntary return, which means it helps those migrants who wish to return in the process of obtaining the necessary travel documents and return plane tickets. Before COVID appeared, IOM returned more than 415 migrants in 12 months, and IOM continues to ensure that all migrants in BiH are aware of this option."

We remind you that the president of SNSD, Milorad Dodik, said on Sunday that migrants are becoming a serious problem and asked the Government of RS to prepare a plan of activities and measures by Friday at the latest, which are necessary to respond to the increasing presence of migrants on the roads and settlements in this BiH entity, where they still do not want migrants.

"We demand that complete sterilization from migrants in our areas be ensured and that the complete security of our people be ensured," said Dodik.