Author
Amendments to the LITP in 2023 introduced specific provisions on the access of third parties to the Reception Centres for Applicants for International Protection. According to LITP, applicants accommodated in the Reception Center shall be provided with an adequate space for meeting and communicating with family members and relatives, legal or other counsellors, representatives of the UNHCR, and other national, international and non-governmental organizations and bodies. Access to applicants may be temporarily restricted due to serious health or safety reasons.[1]
Additionally, both Reception Centres are open facilities and applicants may leave the centre according to the house rules and are able to meet anyone outside. According to the LITP, the Croatian Red Cross, UNHCR and other organisations involved in the protection of refugee rights or doing humanitarian work, may conduct pedagogical, educational and similar activities and provide other types of assistance at the reception centres, subject to prior authorisation by the Ministry of Interior.[2]
The employees of the Croatian Red Cross, are present in both Reception Centres for Applicants for International Protection.
In practice, access to the centres by UNHCR and other relevant NGOs did not constitute an issue in the past. In 2020, due to COVID-19 preventive measures, access to the reception centres was restricted for persons who are not necessary for the normal functioning of the facilities.[3]
As of mid-March 2020, until the end of 2023, access to Reception centres for applicants for international protection remained restricted, with the exception of persons who ensure the normal functioning of the facilities i.e., only employees of the Ministry of Interior, the Croatian Red Cross and Médecins du Monde (Doctors of the World – MdM) could access the facilities on the daily bases.
[1] Article 56 (3) – (4) LITP.
[2] Article 56 (2) LITP.
[3] EMN, Special Annex to the 30th EMN Bulletin EU Member States & Norway: responses to COVID-19 in the migration and asylum area, January – March 2020, available at: https://bit.ly/45wulwH.