CEEOL - Search Result

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Common Western Balkan Migration Policy: Borders and Returns - Regional Policy Paper III

Author(s): Jelena Unijat / Language(s): Serbian

Keywords: migration: borders; asylum; frontex

This is the third Regional Policy Paper of the Balkan Refugee and Migration Council (BRMC). Its main purpose is to present to the general and professional public, as well as to stakeholders, the migration situation in the Western Balkans (WB) region during 2020 and 2021. In the first part of the document, the main points are updates of national legal, policy, and institutional frameworks, as well as an overview of regional cooperation, the European integration process, and cooperation with the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex). Activities of various international mechanisms in the region and their reports related to border management and migration issues are also presented. In the second part, the main focus is on the practice and particular case studies in WB countries. The final section provides recommendations for further improvements in legislation and action, covering related national and regional challenges. In addition to the standard topics, one section of this Policy Paper is dedicated to COVID-19related to the position of migrants, while another section is dedicated to the WB countries response to the situation in Afghanistan.

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Migration challenges, local policies and civic participation

Author(s): Jana Babić,Siniša Volarević / Language(s): Serbian

Keywords: Civic Participation; Local Migration Policies; Focus Group Research; Social Inclusion of Migrants; Western Balkans Route

The project Civic participation in the development of local policies within the contextof migrant influx – cases of four local communities was implemented by Group 484with the financial support of the Open Society Foundation Serbia. The main partof the project was the research carried out in the areas of four Vojvodina local selfgovernments – Šid, Sombor, Subotica and Ada. Most of the field research activitieswere conducted in the area of three local self-governments which – in different waysand in different scopes – have faced significant migration challenges related to thecontinuous movement of migrants and refugees along the Western Balkans route. Onthe other hand, only a small part of the research was conducted in Ada municipality,which did not experience such challenges in this period. The research was conductedin Šid municipality in March while in Sombor, Subotica and Ada in June 2018.

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COMMENTS to the Draft Strategy for Combating Irregular Migration

Author(s): Not Specified Author / Language(s): English

Keywords: migration; EU accession; migration policy reform; Human Rights Compliance

Comments to the Draft Strategy for Combating Irregular Migration with the Accompanying Action Plan2018-2020 are part of Group 484’s efforts for many years now to support, through its activities, thereform processes in the field of migration in the Republic of Serbia. Group 484 believes that competentauthorities have recognised the importance of adopting a strategic document that would definepolicies and key directions to be taken in combating irregular migration, as one of the most challengingsubsystem within the migration management system. In addition, by adopting this strategic document,one more requirement arising from the EU accretion negotiation process will formally be met.

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PROCHILD Discussion paper Unaccompanied and separated minors in return process

Author(s): Miroslava Jelačić Kojić / Language(s): English

Keywords: minors; return procedures; child protection; migration policy;

Regardless of whether it is about tens, hundreds or thousands of people arriving to the territory of a country, protection and treatment of unaccompanied and separated minors draw special attention and interest. Their position, protection modalities and available services have been subjects of the debates taking place not only within the international community, universal and regional systems, but also at national levels. In the Republic of Serbia and the Republic of Macedonia, for many years the issue of their position occupied the attention of only a small number of experts, while the occurrence of migrant-refugee crisis has actively involved greater number of actors in providing care and reflections on the legislation that would regulate their treatment and available services. Key issues in 2015 included satisfaction of basic human needs, identification, ensuring safe transit to the desired destination countries and minimising the risk of various types of abuse. In 2016, after the change of policies and the ‘political climate’ regarding refugees and migrants, the discussion on the protection modalities was directed more towards the status-related issues, the institution of guardian protection, foster care, education, but also integration as one of the mechanisms of durable solutions. Opening the issue of durable solution also necessarily involves consideration of the possibilities for implementation of return procedure.

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DRAFT LAW ON ASYLUM AND TEMPORARY PROTECTION

Author(s): / Language(s): English

Keywords: asylum; temporary protection; asylum seekers; asylum procedure; refugee;

The document has been prepared by Group 484 after consultation with representatives of Autonomous Women’s Center, Belgrade Center for Security Policy, Balkan Centre for Migration and Humanitarian Activities, Belgrade Centre for Human Rights, Humanitarian Centre for Integration and Tolerance, Humanitarian Centre Novi Sad, Save the Children, Praxis International Aid network.

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CHALLENGES OF THE MIGRANT-REFUGEE CRISIS FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF CSOS

Author(s): / Language(s): English

Keywords: Migration Crisis; Humanitarian Aid; Civil Society Organizations (CSOs); Asylum and Refugee Policy; Unaccompanied Minors

According to announcements by officials and adopted strategic documents, 2015 was perceived as one of the crucial reform years in which the implementation of activities aimed at fulfilling the criteria set out in Chapter 24 - Justice, freedom and security was supposed to start, a Chapter within which policies on asylum and migration occupy a prominent place. Due to the (un)expected influx of a large number of migrants and refugees, reform activities gave place to activities that were aimed at mitigating the effects of newly emerged circumstances - the provision of basic emergency needs of people in migration and safe passage to the desired destination countries.

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Forgotten World: Kosovo Enclaves

Author(s): Not Specified Author / Language(s): English

Keywords: Serb Enclaves in Kosovo; Kosovo; Serbian population in Kosovo; Kosovo institutions

In early 2008, the Helsinki Committee for Human Rights in Serbia launched the project “Serb-Serb Dialogue in Serb Enclaves in Kosovo.” The project aims at encouraging the Serbs in the enclaves south of the Ibar River (that make 70 percent of the total Serbian population in Kosovo) to fully exercise their human, minority, socioeconomic and political rights through Kosovo institutions instead of remaining on the margins of Kosovo society and a window-dressing for the official Belgrade’s territorial claims. The project simultaneously sensitizes general public in Serbia proper, as well as the Serbs in the solidly Serbian north, of realistic needs, anxieties and interests of their (self) isolated compatriots.

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Forgotten World: Kosovo Enclaves - Part II

Author(s): Not Specified Author / Language(s): English

Keywords: Kosovo Enclaves; Serb Enclaves in Kosovo; Kosovo

In early 2008, the Helsinki Committee for Human Rights in Serbia launched the project “Serb-Serb Dialogue in Serb Enclaves in Kosovo.” In late March 2008, the Helsinki Committee circulated a report on its first mission to Serb enclaves, out of 6 planned under the project. The major object of the two follow-up missions, the same as of the overall project, was to encourage the Serbs in the enclaves south of the Ibar River to fully exercise their human, minority, socio-economic and political rights through Kosovo institutions instead of remaining on the margins of Kosovo society and a window dressing for the official Belgrade’s territorial claims and unrealistic policies.

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Forgotten World – Kosovo Enclaves - September 2008

Author(s): Not Specified Author / Language(s): English

Keywords: Serb Enclaves in Kosovo; Kosovo ;

The Helsinki Committee for Human Rights in Serbia finalized the project “Serb-Serb Dialogue in Serb Enclaves in Kosovo.” The project aimed at encouraging the Serbs in the enclaves south of the Ibar River (that make about 80 percent of the total Serbian population in Kosovo) to fully exercise their human, minority, socio-economic and political rights through Kosovo institutions instead of remaining on the margins of Kosovo society and a window-dressing for the official Belgrade’s territorial claims. The project also tried to sensitize domestic authorities, international organizations, the general public in Serbia proper, as well as the Serbs in the solidly Serbian north of realistic needs, anxieties and interests of the Serb community living in self-isolation in today’s independent Kosovo.

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Belgrade - with a foot on the north and an open hand in Brussels

Author(s): Ylber Hysa,Amir Haziri,Gynen Venhari / Language(s): English

Keywords: Belgrade; Kosovo; Brussels; Mitrovica; EULEX; EU mission

This year’s Saint George, as often during such celebrations brought a loud celebration that started with verbal violence, then resulted with physical fight that lasted for hours in north Mitrovica and ended with use of guns. Such community violence is not strange for north Mitrovica in the last decade, which was distinguished in media with clashes and ethnic division. This year’s Saint George was Serb-Serb hostility; in fact it was settling accounts between two youth gangs from Mitrovica and Zvecan, who agreed on the fight arena on an electronic way through facebook. Such violence lasted for hours, where young Serbs after using of alcohol used punches and guns terrorizing their community. Kosovo Police in north, lacking special units and with limited number of staff who celebrated by previously requesting vacation, being unable to handle the situation, decided to call EULEX police for help. EU mission police, in the beginning with mobile patrol and afterwards with special backup came to the scene after approximately 40 minutes and requested an informative briefing and operative plan, which was missing. While such a debate continued, hooligans who initiated the fight, under influence of alcohol aimed an attack on Police Station that according to witnesses was protected by citizens. In the end, according to some media MUP members arrived at the scene, with guns on their waist, with three cars and got involved also to set peace. After a hard day, citizens of Mitrovica were not clear if everything was over, since late at night an explosion was heard, that seems to have been a vengeance towards the property of one group against the other in this fight.

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Visit to the Serb Enclaves - Report of the Helsinki Committee for Human Rights In Serbia - Priština Office (March 2009)

Author(s): Not Specified Author / Language(s): English

Keywords: Returnees; Kosovo; Serbs; Dialogue; Infrastructure; Unemployment

Many Serb returnees in Klina face unresolved property and compensation issues, such as taxation during displacement, lack of documentation, and exclusion from privatized employment opportunities. Despite financial and infrastructural support from local and international institutions, high unemployment and limited Albanian engagement hinder sustainable return. However, projects like the repatriation to Klinavac, supported by dialogue and investments, have shown promise, with returnees reporting positive interethnic relations and improved living conditions.

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SYSTEM OF RECEPTION OF MIGRANTS AND REFUGEES DURING THE MIGRANT CRISIS

Author(s): / Language(s): English

Keywords: migration crisis; reception system; controlled flow; humanitarian aid; Balkan route

In 2015, Serbia, like much of Europe, faced an unprecedented migration crisis, redirecting its planned reforms in asylum and migration toward emergency humanitarian response. The country established a coordinated system involving public authorities, civil society, and international organizations to manage controlled migration flows and provide urgent aid, reception, and accommodation to migrants and refugees. The evolving situation highlighted both the need for better coordination among actors and the development of flexible, experience-based policies to improve future migration management.

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A Regional MIPEX Assessment of the Western Balkans

Author(s): Not Specified Author / Language(s): English

Keywords: MIPEX (Migrant Integration Policy Index); integration policies; equal rights and opportunities; policy benchmarking and comparison; discretionary procedures

The Migrant Integration Policy Index (MIPEX) is a comprehensive, interactive tool that measures and compares integration policies in 40 countries, assessing how well immigrants are given equal rights, opportunities, and support. It uses 167 detailed indicators based on public laws and international standards, providing policymakers and civil society with insights to evaluate and improve their integration strategies. MIPEX findings reveal that while some countries, especially newer immigration nations like those in the Western Balkans, have made legal progress, they still face major challenges due to discretionary procedures and limited access to full societal participation.

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ALBANIANS IN SERBIA - Preševo, Bujanovac and Medveđa

ALBANCI U SRBIJI - Preševo, Bujanovac i Medveđa

Author(s): Not Specified Author / Language(s): Serbian

Keywords: Ethnic Tensions; Human Rights Violations; Insurgency and Conflict; Post-conflict Reforms; Demographic Shifts

vPreševo (Preshevë), Bujanovac (Bujanoc) and Medveđa (Medvegë) areunderdeveloped municipalities in the south of Serbia with a mixed Albanian, Serbian and Roma population. The area borders Kosovo in the southwest and the Republic of Macedonia in the south. The demographic composition, the position of the region and its underdevelopment made this an unstable area, where the political, security and other conditions in Serbia, Kosovo and the wider region were broken in a specific way.

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The Beginning of Implementation of the Law on the Promotion and Protection of Rights of Communities and Their Members in the Republic of Kosovo

Author(s): Not Specified Author / Language(s): English

Keywords: Consultative Council; Minority Rights; Transparency; Kosovo

In the period from September until December 2008, the Humanitarian Law Center – Kosovo (HLC Kosovo) conducted a research on the implementation of the Law on the Promotion and Protection of Rights of Communities and Their Members in the Republic of Kosovo, with special focus on the creation of the Consulative Council for Communities within the Kosovo President’s Cabinet. This law was passed on 13 March 2008 and entered into force on 15 June 2008, while the decree of the President of Kosovo, on establishment of the Consultative Council, was made on 15 September 2008. The consultation process for nominating and electing the Council members lasted from the end of October until early November 2008. HLC Kosovo has conducted a research in order to find out whether the consultation process was conducted in a transparent and democratic manner, whether all relevant actors from ethnic communities were involved, what are the opinions of their representatives and representatives of institutions with regard to the establishment of the Consultative Council, i.e. whether they been informed about the law and the mandate of the Consultative Council at all. Finally, HLC Kosovo also investigated which media and professional associations of journalists have a mandate to create conditions in order for minorities to be able to receive information on events in Kosovo in their mother tongues as prescribed by the law mentioned herein.

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TRIALS FOR WAR CRIMES AND ETHNICALLY MOTIVATED CRIMES IN SERBIA IN 2010 – Report ; ANALYSIS OF PROCEDURES AND COURT DECISIONS IN THE CASE OF SUVA REKA IRREGULARITIES AND ABUSE OF POWER IN WAR CRIMES PROCEEDINGS IN THE REPUBLIC OF SERBIA – Report

Author(s): Not Specified Author / Language(s): English

Keywords: Prosecution; Impunity ; Regional cooperation; Justice delays

During the year 2010, the Higher Court in Belgrade War Crimes Department(hereinafter referred to as the War Crimes Department) rendered nine first instance judgments, convicting 13 and acquitting one person accused of criminal responsibility. Belgrade Court of Appeals War Crimes Department rendered seven judgments, finally convicting 21 accused persons1 and finding three persons notguilty2, while first-instance judgments were dismissed in the cases of five accused3and those cases returned for retrial. In the Tuzla Convoy Case, the Belgrade Court of Appeals started the main hearing and after hearing defence witnesses, the court returned the case to the court of first instance and ordered a new trial before a different trial chamber. In the Suva Reka Case, the Court of Appeals confirmed the guilty judgment and the sentence in case of the accused Repanović.

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Irregularities and Abuse of Power in War Crimes Proceedings in the Republic of Serbia - Case of the 37th Battalion of Special Police Units

Author(s): Not Specified Author / Language(s): English

Keywords: War crimes; Serbian Ministry of Interior; Kosovo

On March 3, 2009, the Humanitarian Law Center (HLC) filed a criminal complaint against 16 members of the former 37th Battalion of the Serbian Ministry of Interior (MoI) Special Police Units (PJP) for the existence of serious evidence that they had committed war crimes at various locations in Kosovo during the years of 1998 and 1999. Radoslav Mitrović, who was the Commander of the 37th PJP Battalion during the armed conflict in Kosovo and Assistant Commander of the Republic of Serbia Gendermerie after the war, and who was also eventually acquitted by the Belgrade Appellate Court in June 2010 of allegations of committing war crimes in Suva Reka on March 26, 1999, is one of the suspects in the 37th PJP Battalion case. HLC based its criminal complaint in the 37th PJP Battalion case on statements given by four members of the Serbian MoI (from Witness no. 1, Witness no. 2, Witness no. 3, and Witness no. 4), who revealed in statements to HLC information about a number of war crimes committed by members of the 37th PJP Battalion during the armed conflict in Kosovo.

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POPULATION EXCHANGE - CROATS FROM VOJVODINA FOR SERBS FROM CROATIA

RAZMENA STANOVNIŠTVA - VOJVOĐANSKI HRVATI ZA SRBE IZ HRVATSKE

Author(s): Not Specified Author / Language(s): Serbian

Keywords: Croats; Serbs; Vojvodina; resettlement

Investigated cases of the emigration of Croats from Vojvodina and the exchange of their property with the property of Serbs from war-affected areas of Croatia show that the political idea of relocating the population has almost been realized. Mass resettlement was carried out during June, July and August 1992. According to estimates from several independent sources, more than 10,000 Croats from Vojvodina exchanged their property for the property of Serbs from Croatia at that time.

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Guide for those subject to the Law on Free Access to Information

Vodič za obveznike Zakona o slobodnom pristupu informacijama

Author(s): Mira Popović Trstenjak,Itana Gogić / Language(s): Montenegrine

Keywords: Transparency; Accountability; Public Access; Governance; Legal Framework

Free access to information is one of the mechanisms that significantly affects good governance, ensuring transparency and accountability of public administration.

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MPs and Interns must perform much better

Author(s): Nikola Mirković / Language(s): English

Keywords: parliament; elections; plenary sessions; State Election Commission

When it comes to the activity of MPs of the 28th convocation of the Parliament in plenary sessions, the first half of the year was marked by the dominance of more experienced MPs, while the impression is gained that the new forces have been “overwhelmed” by stage fright. As many as five MPs did not speak even once. These are Uglješa Urošević, Seid Hadžić, Gordan Stojović, and Nađa Laković from PES, and Artan Čobi from the Albanian Alternative, with the note that three out of these five MPs began their mandate in mid-November 2023, precisely on 16 November 2023, when the State Election Commission (SEC) confirmed their mandates as they replaced party colleagues who joined the Government. This applies to Stojović, Laković, and Čobi, while Urošević and Hadžić, therefore, since the beginning of the convocation on 27 July 2023, citizens who followed the plenary sessions could not hear their voices.

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