The situation at the border crossings Gevgelija and Kumanovo for the period 13.06.2016 – 19.06.2016

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 total number of refugees in the course of this week was constant and remained 133.

Due to the high temperatures and the Ramadan fasts, the movement of refugees in the camp is lower.

Lighting has been set up on the road to Suva River which leads to the camp.

In anticipation of the World Refugees Day on 20.06.2016, there were preparations for a versatile and rich entertainment program for the refugees in the camp, amusement activities for the children and national food.

Institutional treatment

14 refugees from the camp in Vinojug asked for asylum to the Republic of Macedonia. They were taken to the police station in Gevgelija, where they were interviewed by the Commission tasked with Deciding on Asylum Requests. The Commission rejected their requests, whereby they were brought back to the camp.

In the course of the week, a total of 80 refugees who were caught down illegal roads were transported back to Greek territory, after they were provided with humanitarian aid. There were refugees from various background there, such as Egypt, Morocco and Pakistan.

Kumanovo 

Available facilities and conditions

The number of refugees in the transit center Tabanovce fluctuated around 125 in the course of this week.

The camp infrastructure is being constantly upgraded, i.e. new containers are being set up and new showers are also under construction.

Institutional treatment

Over the week, several refugees tried to leave the camp on different occasions, but were prevented in doing so by the police officers. The refugees also tried to leave the camp on the cargo trains headed to Serbia. However, police officers run checks on those trains, so their attempts were thwarted.

The situation at the Shelter Centers in the Republic of Macedonia

At present, the number of refugees in the Shelter Center for Asylum Seekers in the Republic of Macedonia amounts to 14. The Shelter Center in Gazi Baba, on the other hand, accommodates 25 of them.

Irregular migrations

In the course of the week, the bulletin of the Ministry of Internal Affairs registered a single criminal and legal event related to smuggling of immigrants, which occurred on 14.06.216, on the local road in the vicinity of the Strumica village of Raborci. Two out of the three suspects who were caught on the scene managed to escape, while 1 one was apprehended by the police. 26 refugees from Afghanistan were found as victims.

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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.