The situation at the border crossings Gevgelija and Kumanovo for the period 06.06.2016 – 12.06.2016

The weekly report on the situation at the border crossings Gevgelija and Kumanovo includes the following topics: Available facilities and conditions at the camp and Institutional treatment.

Gevgelija

Available facilities and conditions

The number of refugees in the camp at the start of the week amounted to 137, but it later dropped to 134, since three refugees were deported back to Greek side at their own request.

Taking into account the start of the Ramadan fasting, the stirring of the refugees in the camp is minimal.

The space used for serving coffee and tea has now been adopted for watching TV. It is divided in two parts, and television sets have been set up.

A facility with a washer and dryer is being prepared in the camp, where the refugees will be able to wash their clothes.

The Helsinki Committee commends these enhancements to the camp which will serve to entertain the refugees and improve their accommodation.

Institutional treatment

In the course of the week, a total of 56 refugees were caught by the police down illegal roads, who after being briefly held up in the reception tent in front of the camp were transported back to Greek territory.

At the start of the week, 17 refugees expressed intent to seek asylum to the Republic of Macedonia.

Kumanovo

Available facilities and conditions

The number of refugees in the camp moved between 130 and 150.

As a result of the fasting, a less stirring of the refugees in the camp has been observed.

Due to the fasts, the camp kitchen will be constantly open, and the refugees will have the chance to cook for themselves.

Institutional treatment

New refugees from various countries, travelling on foot, keep arriving at the camp. At the same time, other refugees keep leaving the camp, heading towards Serbia down illegal roads.

The situation at the shelter centers in the Republic of Macedonia

25 refugees are held in the Shelter Center for Foreigners – Gazi Baba at the moment, while 14 refugees are accommodated in the Shelter Center for Asylum Seekers. At present, there are 20 people in the Safe House accommodating vulnerable categories.

Irregular migration

In the course of this week, the Bulletin of the Ministry of Internal Affairs registered criminal and legal events related to migrants (refugees), 3 of which occurred in the vicinity of village Udovo, while the remaining two down the roads to Strumica. In one of the events (on 07.06.2016) five refugees were robbed by four other people. Criminal charges were filed against the perpetrators. The other four cases involved smuggling of migrants, whereby five suspects were apprehended by the police, while one is at large. A total of 53 refugees, originating from Syria, Afghanistan, Pakistan and Iran were victims of the registered events.

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This report is made possible by the generous support of the Foundation Open Society Institute (FOSI) within the project „Improvement of the rights protection for migrants and asylum seekers in the Republic of Macedonia“. The contents are the responsibility of the Helsinki Committee for Human rights of the Republic of Macedonia and do not necessarily reflect the views of FOSI.