Author
There are no specific rules for information to be provided to applicants on rights and obligations relating to reception conditions. According to the provisions of the LITP, the Ministry of Interior has to inform the applicants in writing within 15 days of the expression of intention, about the procedure of approval of international protection, about rights and obligations they have in that procedure, the possibility of contact representatives of UNHCR and other organisations who work to protect the rights of refugees, and the possibility of receiving free legal assistance. If the information cannot be provided in writing for justified reasons or if the applicant is illiterate, the information shall be provided orally in a language reasonably supposed to be understood by the applicant and in which applicant is able to communicate.[1]
In practice, according to the information available to the Croatian Law Centre, this information is given in during the submission of the application for international protection.
Applicants are informed about the House Rules of the reception centres and these rules are also displayed in a visible place in the premises of both Reception Centres for Applicants for International Protection. According to information provided by the Croatian Red Cross in previous years, the House Rules are available in Croatian, English, French, Arabic and Farsi. The Ministry of Interior has also specified back in 2017, that House Rules are also available in Urdu, Pashtu, Somali and Hindi.[2]
Upon their arrival in the Reception Centre, applicants are also informed by social workers and psychologists of the Croatian Red Cross about their rights and obligations, the House Rules and rules of conduct which must be adhered to while accommodated in the Reception Centre as well as other practical information, e.g., the daily schedule of the distribution of linen, clothing and footwear, and hygiene items, laundry services, information on daily creative workshops and other activities available in the centre.
In 2020, the Centre for cultural activities prepared 6 videos containing the necessary information for applicants for international protection and foreigners residing in Croatia within the project “The video info corner for asylum seekers” which was implemented with the financial support of the Ministry of Labour, Pension System, Family and Social Policy. The videos provide general information[3] as well as information on legal counselling, accommodation and daily life,[4] health care,[5] education,[6] obligation to respect the legal framework and customs of the Republic of Croatia,[7] and cultural features in the local community.[8] The videos were made with English subtitles and synchronized to Arabic.
[1] Article 59(2)- (3) LITP.
[2] Information provided by the Ministry of Interior, 2 March 2017.
[3] The video is available at: https://bit.ly/3awCMN4.
[4] The video is available at: https://cutt.ly/qvKPaQo.
[5] The video is available at: https://cutt.ly/6vKPjJp.
[6] The video is available at: https://cutt.ly/YvKPcY4.
[7] The video is available at: https://cutt.ly/YvKPQut.
[8] The video is available at: https://cutt.ly/6vKPTPm.