Author
UNHCR has access to all facilities where applicants are accommodated, namely the Reception Centres for Applicants for International Protection in Zagreb and Kutina and the Reception Centre for Foreigners in Ježevo and to Transit Reception Centres for Foreigners in Trilj and Tovarnik.
Since the end of March 2020 and the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, access for NGOs to Reception Centre for Applicants of International Protection has been restricted; this continued in 2023. Although the measures related to the pandemic were lifted in 2022, civil society organizations were prevented from accessing the Reception Centres, and based on their project with the Ministry of Interior, only the Croatian Red Cross (CRC) and MdM had daily access to the Reception centres.
The CRC staff is present on a daily basis in the Reception Centre for Applicants for International Protection and can refer applicants to the relevant organisations or institutions which can provide them with relevant information.
MdM staff is also present in the Reception Centre for Applicants for International Protection in Zagreb, and when needed in the Reception Centre for Applicants for International Protection in Kutina.
In 2023, legal aid related to international protection was provided to applicants via email, by telephone or in person (in the premises of organisations) by Borders none, Croatian Law Centre, Centre for Peace Studies, and Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS).[1]
The Rehabilitation Centre for Stress and Trauma reported that in 2023 they sent request for continuation of their work in the Reception Centre for Applicants for International Protection, but did not received any answer.[2] JRS also sent request for continuation of their work in the Reception Centre for Applicants for International Protection, but it was denied.[3]
[1] Information provided by Bordersnone, 15 January 2024; by Centre for Peace Studies, 30 January 2024; and by Jesuit Refugee Service, 5 February 2024.
[2] Information provided by the Rehabilitation Centre for Stress and Trauma,30 January 2024.
[3] Information provided by Jesuit Refugee Service, 5 February 2024.