The right to free legal aid is guaranteed by the Asylum Act, as well as the right to receive information concerning asylum.[1] A foreigner who has expressed his or her intention to seek asylum in Serbia, as well as the person who lodged his or her asylum application shall have the right to be informed about his or her rights and obligations throughout the asylum procedure.[2]
Legal information is provided by NGOs providing free legal aid to asylum seekers in Serbia. Such NGOs generally have access to interpreters, with leaflets provided in several languages usually spoken by asylum seekers. BCHR developed information leaflets for asylum seekers that his field workers are distributing in asylum and reception centres, while IDEAS designed child-friendly leaflets that are being distributed in AC Bogovađa and AC Sjenica, as well as social care institutions for UASC. Also, IDEAS DRC and CRPC have trained 10 UASC who have resided in Serbia for more than a year to be peer educators who will inform other children on their rights and obligations while in Serbia.
Police departments around Serbia tasked with issuing the registration certificates are still not providing such information due to lack of interpreters and state developed leaflets. This was confirmed by BCHR, APC and IDEAS.
[1] Article 56 Asylum Act.
[2] Article 56(1) Asylum Act.