Author
Under Slovak law, the authorities are required to take into account the special reception needs of vulnerable applicants identified through an individual assessment of their situation. The law provides that appropriate reception conditions shall be adapted to the specific needs of vulnerable persons and may include measures aimed at preventing attacks and violence, as well as the provision of protection to victims of trafficking in human beings.
For the purposes of reception conditions, vulnerable persons include in particular minors, persons with disabilities, elderly persons, pregnant women, single parents with minor children, victims of trafficking in human beings, persons suffering from serious illnesses, persons with mental disorders, and persons who have been subjected to torture, rape or other serious forms of psychological, physical or sexual violence.[1]
The identification of applicants with special reception needs prior to their placement in accommodation centres does not appear to follow a fully standardised or systematic procedure. According to findings of the Public Defender of Rights (Ombudsperson) acting as the National Preventive Mechanism, vulnerability screening is primarily conducted during the initial reception phase, and information is subsequently recorded in internal documentation accessible to staff across facilities. However, the monitoring indicated that vulnerabilities are often identified only later during the stay in accommodation centres, for example through the work of social staff or healthcare providers.
There is no separate formal monitoring mechanism specifically dedicated to reviewing whether special reception needs continue to be adequately addressed throughout the asylum procedure. In practice, the needs of vulnerable applicants may be identified and followed up by social workers, healthcare staff or other employees of the accommodation centres, as well as by NGOs providing legal or social counselling in the facilities.
Depending on the nature of the vulnerability, applicants may receive medical treatment, psychological or psychiatric support, social counselling, or adapted accommodation arrangements within the existing reception facilities. There are no specialised reception centres for victims of sexual or gender-based violence, domestic violence, human trafficking, torture or other serious forms of physical or psychological violence. Such cases are therefore generally addressed within the ordinary reception system, with referrals to healthcare providers, psychologists, specialised NGOs or other relevant services where available.
Unaccompanied children are accommodated in the Centre for Children and Families in Medzilaborce, regardless of their status as applicants for international protection. If the applicant is an unaccompanied children, he or she is obliged, unless prevented by serious reasons, to report to an accommodation centre within three days of reaching the age of majority; this shall not apply if the applicant has requested to remain in a child protection and social guardianship facility.
Measures to prevent gender-based violence or to ensure child protection within reception centres are not set out in a detailed specialised framework. In practice, protection is ensured mainly through the general operation of the facilities, the presence of social workers and healthcare staff, internal rules, and the possibility to report incidents to facility staff or competent authorities. Women may have access to female staff members in some facilities, including social workers or healthcare personnel, but this is not guaranteed in all situations, particularly as regards interpretation or interviews. No specific safe spaces for women or children appear to be systematically established in all reception centres.
Families are normally accommodated together in the same facility and, where possible, in the same room or accommodation unit. Separation of family members does not appear to be a standard practice and would generally occur only where required by specific circumstances, such as health, safety, capacity or child protection considerations.
There is no publicly available information indicating whether binding guidelines, standard operating procedures or regular specialised training specifically tailored to applicants with special reception needs are systematically applied across all reception facilities. Staff may receive training on vulnerable groups or child protection through ad hoc activities, including training organised by international organisations, NGOs or public institutions.
[1] Article 39(1) of the Asylum Act.