Risks growing for increasing numbers of refugees and migrants crossing the Western Balkans
This is a summary of what was said by UNHCR spokesperson Adrian Edwards – to whom quoted text may be attributed – at today's press briefing at the Palais des Nations in Geneva.
UNHCR is concerned about increasing risks facing refugees and migrants in the Western Balkans with more people using this route for their journeys. Men, women and children are often walking for days, some exposed to violence and abuse, or accidents along train tracks.
What has become known as 'the Western Balkans route' is seeing a dramatic increase in refugees and migrants. Some are registering for asylum in the Balkans, others are heading onwards.
Between 2012 and 2014 the number of people registering their intention to seek asylum in the Western Balkans went from 5,000 to 20,000, a four-fold increase. So far in 2015, the numbers have been rising further, with over 22,000 asylum claims lodged in Serbia alone in the first five months of the year, a six fold increase from the same period as last year. Close to 10,000, new asylum-seekers were registered by the authorities in May alone. Authorities and civil society in Southern Serbia are currently stretched to provide basic humanitarian aid, registration and accommodation to some 200 asylum-seekers that approach them each day for help, having crossed the border from fYR Macedonia. UNHCR estimates that at least an equal number of people potentially in need of international protection forego registration, have been moving through the region irregularly, with the help of smugglers. The vast majority of them seek to reach Western Europe crossing into Hungary.
Most of those travelling this route are from refugee-producing countries, mainly Syria, Afghanistan, Iraq, Eritrea and Somalia. They mostly come via Greece, and with the recent surge in sea arrivals there, the number of people undertaking this journey is expected to grow further.
The situation is particularly difficult in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia where refugees and migrants follow rail tracks and mountain routes, walking for days exposed to train accidents, natural elements and to abuse and threats from smugglers and criminal networks. A series of fatal accidents over the last few months have been a reminder of the dangers, including to young children and women.
UNHCR has been advocating for improvements to the asylum systems in this region since the early 1990s. Existing capacities are inadequate for the scale of arrivals. In particular, we have been working closely with the Government of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia to amend its Law on Asylum and Temporary Protection, so that people potentially in need of international protection are registered and get access to legal processes. The proposed changes, which are still to be approved by the Parliament, urgently need adoption and implementation.
In Serbia the situation is more positive and asylum-seekers are not detained. UNHCR is working to increase its support to the efforts of authorities and civil society to provide basic assistance, services and access to procedures.
The situation remains critical and will require further support, including through joint efforts with the European Union, national Governments, and NGOs.
For more information on this topic, please contact:
- In Sarajevo, Neven Crvenkovic on mobile +387 61 611 082
- In Greece, William Spindler on mobile +41 79 217 3011
- In Geneva, Babar Baloch on mobile +41 79 557 9106
Your search for « macedonia » matched 1648 results. Only the first 1,000 results are displayed. Displaying page 7 of 112 pages.
-
Social Inclusion of Roma, Ashkali and Egyptians in South-Eastern Europe: Real Life Stories
Aug 2009 ... THE FORMER YUGOSLAV REPUBLIC OF MACEDONIA......Herzegovina, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Montene- gro, Kosovo (SCR 1244) and Serbia. ...... -
UNHCR Global Report 2001 - The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia
1 Jun 2002 ... The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia 370 – UNHCR Global Report 2001 75190 Europe 13/06/02 ... of some 140,000 persons (50,000 within FYR Macedonia; approximately 90,000 to Kosovo and southern ...... -
UNHCR Global Report 2002 - The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia
1 Jun 2003 ... solution to the problem of the long-term residents of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) who lack effective citizenship; ensure that the residual Kosovo minority refugee group with ...... -
Returns to FYR of Macedonia top 50,000, but fear and mistrust remain
14 Sep 2001 ... SKOPJE, Sept 14 (UNHCR) - The total number of returns from Kosovo to the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) has topped 50,000, according to the UN refugee agency. Refugees are returning ...... -
Statement of The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia
4 Oct 2017 ... PERMANENT MISSION OF THE REPUBLIC OF MACEDONIA TO THE UN OFFICE AND OTHER INTERNATINOAL ... Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Macedonia Geneva, October 2017 Madam Chair, Mr. ...... -
Bi-annual fact sheet 2022 09 North Macedonia
Sep 2022 ... NORTH MACEDONIA FACT SHEET North Macedonia September 2022 In-line with the Strategy for Engagement in mixed movement in the Western Balkans, UNHCR works with the authorities and other stakeholders in ...... -
Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia: Roma agree to remain
12 Aug 2003 ... Hundreds of Kosovo Roma, who had been camping near the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia's (FYROM's) border with Greece for nearly three months, in an unsuccessful bid to enter the European Union, ...... -
Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia: thousands on the move
20 Mar 2001 ... Macedonia following clashes between Macedonian security forces and ethnic Albanian separatists. Over the past six days, more than 2,300 ethnic Albanians have crossed the border from FYR Macedonia to ...... -
Bi-annual fact sheet 2021 02 North Macedonia
Feb 2021 ... NORTH MACEDONIA FACT SHEET Republic of North Macedonia February 2021 Mandate: The UNHCR office in North Macedonia was established in 1993 and has been working closely with the government for the ......