Regional conference convened by UNHCR sets priorities for stronger, more sustainable legal aid systems for asylum-seekers and refugees in the Western Balkans

SARAJEVO - Public institutions, judicial and legal professionals, civil society representatives and international organizations shared lessons learned and strategic directions to reinforce free legal aid systems for asylum-seekers and refugees across the Western Balkans at a two-day regional conference concluding today in Sarajevo.

Convened by UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, in collaboration with the International Institute of Humanitarian Law, the conference was organized with support from the European Union under the programme “EU Regional Support to Protection-Sensitive Migration Management Systems in the Western Balkans – Phase III”, a programme implemented jointly by UNHCR, the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex), the European Union Asylum Agency (EUAA) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM). The programme contributes to the gradual integration of the Western Balkan partners into EU systems for asylum and migration management.

The aim of the conference was to bring together key actors to examine how free legal aid can be made accessible, sustainable and effective throughout asylum procedures, and to strengthen cooperation between public institutions and specialized civil society providers.

Strengthening access to free legal aid for asylum-seekers and refugees has been a long-standing area of engagement for UNHCR in the Western Balkans and remains a priority today.

“Behind every legal aid case is a person whose future may depend on understanding and accessing their rights,” said Nicole Epting, UNHCR Representative for Central and South-East Europe. “Ensuring access to legal assistance is essential to the fairness, quality and integrity of asylum systems. The discussions over the last two days reaffirmed our shared commitment to accessible, sustainable legal aid across the region.”

Today, UNHCR and its partners continue to provide information, legal counselling and assistance across the region, reaching more than 15,000 individuals since the project began in 2023. In parallel, public legal aid providers are also gradually taking on asylum cases, demonstrating real progress in the institutionalization of free legal aid. The conference allowed participants to identify practical steps to further reinforce public systems, in line with the reforms required as part of the EU accession process.

Miljana Vujadin, Head of the Free Legal Aid office of the Ministry of Justice in Bosnia and Herzegovina, shared her opening remarks: “Free legal aid is a prerequisite for exercising human rights. It must be more than a nominal right: people must be able to access and benefit from it in practice, overcoming linguistic, cultural and administrative barriers. The Ministry recognizes the importance of free legal aid and is committed to strengthening it.”

Through panels and working sessions, participants identified key priorities and areas of improvement for the upcoming period. The exercise also helped identify common trends that could inform future regional cooperation. UNHCR will continue working closely with the European Union, authorities and partners across the Western Balkans to translate these priorities into concrete and sustainable action and support the further institutionalization of free legal aid for asylum-seekers and refugees across the region.

For further information, please contact:

Giulia Naboni, External Relations Officer, UNHCR Representation for Central and South-East Europe, [email protected]