General
In order to effectively combat this threat to public health, all citizens as well as non-citizens – including refugees, asylum-seekers and migrants – must be fully included into national assessments, prevention, preparedness and responses plans and actions and be able to access health facilities and services without discrimination.
All states can manage their borders in the context of this unique crisis as they see fit. But these measures should not result in closure of avenues to asylum, or of forcing people to return to situations of danger. Solutions exist. If health risks are identified, screening arrangements can be put in place, together with testing, quarantine and other measures. These will enable authorities to manage the arrival of asylum seekers and refugees safely, while respecting international refugee protection standards designed to save lives.
Current situation in Serbia
Starting on 17 March, authorities have been transporting migrants from public areas to the nearest governmental centre – regardless of whether asylum or reception/transit centre – and have prohibited all residents from leaving the centres, except with special permits. On 18 March, Army troops were deployed to secure these arrangements.
8,328 asylum-seekers and migrants, including 543 unaccompanied and separated children, are now accommodated in five Asylum Centres (1,854 residents) and 11 Reception/Transit Centres (6,474 residents) managed by the Serbian Commissariat for Refugees and Migration.
While UNHCR welcomes measures to protect asylum-seekers and migrants from contracting the infection, we remain concerned that the crowded conditions in governmental centres may not provide for the social distancing and other hygiene measures necessary to prevent infection. Medical experts advise that to prevent uncontrollable spreading of the infection, healthy persons should not be concentrated in bigger numbers in constricted spaces.
Asylum-seekers, who seek protection from persecution or war, enjoy a legal status in Serbia and rights – including freedom of movement and residence, work and employment – that irregular migrants, who only stay in Serbia on transit to another country, do not enjoy. Measures taken to prevent the spread of COVID-19 infection must accord with international and national human rights standards. In particular, the Government of Serbia should ensure that the rights of refugees and asylum-seekers remain respected and that any restrictions on their entry, travel, freedom of movement and residence are temporary, proportionate and non-discriminatory.
In national law and practice, Serbia established Asylum Centres for asylum-seekers and Reception/Transit Centres for irregular migrants. To protect the health and wellbeing of both these two distinct categories of foreigners as well as their host communities, it is important to continue accommodating them in different centres, with due attention to the special needs of unaccompanied and separated children. UNHCR continues to offer support to the responsible authorities of Serbia to provide adequate separate housing and regimes to resident asylum seekers, unaccompanied and separated children, and transiting migrants.
At the same time, the UN Refugee Agency supports the Government of Serbia in addressing the urgent needs of other vulnerable groups, including internally displaced citizens, who reside in informal settlements or unofficial collective centres.
Additional UNHCR assistance to Serbia
The office and programme of the UN refugee Agency in Serbia and its ten partners remain open and fully functioning. Precautions in movement and social distancing are managed through remote and on-line communication, counselling and services.
UNHCR regularly communicates also with asylum seekers and refugees in private accommodation, quickly reassessed their needs and already transferred financial assistance for April for those with and for April and May to those without bank accounts. UNHCR is on standby to receive and quickly process new requests from asylum-seekers or refugees who lose their work or employment.
Together with authorities and partners, UNHCR assessed new needs emerging from the current situation, and quickly designed and started implementing tailored programmatic responses. Interested donors are welcome to request information about these additional needs and activities, which are regularly updated.
UNHCR regularly coordinates its plans and activities with the Resident Coordinator of the United Nations, WHO and other UN sister agencies in Serbia and participates in the implementation of the COVID-19 Country Preparedness and Response Plan of the United Nations in Serbia.
The UN Refugee Agency stands ready to continue supporting Serbia in protecting refugees, asylum-seekers and internally displaced persons, so that no one is left behind or deprived of access to basic rights and services during this important time of national and international solidarity.
Contacts
General:Hans Friedrich Schodder, Representative, +381 63 263580, [email protected]
Donor Info: Milica Cvetkovic, Associate Programme Officer, +381 63 432 743, [email protected]
Media: Mirjana Milenkovski, Communication Associate, + 381 63 275154, [email protected]
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