Canton Sarajevo Government: Coordination Team for Migrant Issues in CS Formed

SARAJEVO, (Patria) - The Government of Canton Sarajevo, at today's extraordinary session, passed a Decision on the formation of the CS Coordination Team for migrant issues, at the proposal of the Ministry of Labour, Social Policy, Displaced Persons and Refugees of CS.

This staff should ensure and regulate the organized and safe reception of migrants, in coordination with the Ministry of Security of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Service for Foreigners' Affairs of BiH, as well as the Ministry of Human Rights and Refugees of BiH. This includes issues of determining legal status, rights to reception, accommodation, food, healthcare, as well as the manner of exercising the right to social assistance for persons granted international protection in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Furthermore, it should consider the availability of accommodation capacities in cooperation with competent state institutions and try to find possibilities for temporary accommodation of migrants in facilities where acceptable living conditions can be provided, in order to establish adequate institutional supervision during their stay in the Canton Sarajevo area by the competent institutions.

This staff is also responsible for coordinating activities with UNHCR and other competent domestic and international organizations and institutions, with the aim of lawful conduct and fulfillment of international obligations regarding the reception of migrants and their humanitarian care in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The President of the CS Coordination Team for Migrant Issues is Prime Minister Adem Zolj, the deputy is the Minister of Labour, Social Policy, Displaced Persons and Refugees Amela Dautbegović, and the members are: the Minister of Internal Affairs of CS, the Minister of Health, the Minister of Justice and Administration, the Minister of Finance, the Police Commissioner of the Police Administration of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of CS, the Commander of Civil Protection of CS, the Director of the Directorate for Commodity Reserves of CS, the Director of the Public Institution "Cantonal Center for Social Work", as well as the mayors of the municipalities of Canton Sarajevo, and associate members will be appointed as needed.

Members of the CS Government have been continuously informed by the Ministry of Internal Affairs about the migrant issue in Canton Sarajevo, including at today's session. On this occasion, they praised the members of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of CS, the Police Administration, and the Police Commissioner for their professional and correct performance of tasks and duties related to this issue.

They also requested competent institutions of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) to take adequate measures in accordance with their authorities and to inform lower levels of government about them.