BVMN is a network of watchdog organisations active in Greece and the Western Balkans including No Name Kitchen, Rigardu, Are You Syrious, Mobile InfoTeam, Push-back Alarm Austria, InfoKolpa, Centre for Peace Studies, BlindSpots, and Collective Aid. Combining insights from these different members, this month’s report covers:

Criminalization of solidarity in Velika Kladusa

Increases in Violence in Northern Serbia

Shipwrecks in Greece

Yazidis barred from entering camps in Greece

Slovene NGOs as possible targets of state surveillance?

For more read the link below:
https://www.borderviolence.eu/balkan-regional-report-september-2022/?fbclid=IwAR0lAHDCV1LCamuXnc2NNlhYLCGVUz_uy1vpEE2dOc_4mxvkC9FC3srIpNs

A full conference report is available here.
https://www.osce.org/odihr/528063

With the support of the Macedonian Young Lawyers Association (MYLA)
and the Danish Refugee Council and the European Union, Legis in August
2021 started implementing a 6-month project in “Monitoring Irregular
Migration and Human Smuggling in the Republic of Northern Macedonia”
and the rights of persons caught in irregular migration.
The project is a complementary part of the regular activities of Legis in
“Monitoring access to rights and protection for refugees and migrants in
Northern Macedonia” or activities that daily monitor the migration and
refugee trends of the so-called Balkan route from 2015 until today.
As part of the project activities, a short analysis of irregular migration
flows in the period from August, 2021 to January, 2022 is envisaged. At the
same time, Legis during this period published 5 monthly reports on
migration flows on the southern and northern borders, ie. a region in which
irregular crossings and criminal groups and individuals involved in
smuggling operate. The analysis examines the migration flows, but the
focus is on the action by the state in criminal court proceedings involving
foreigners, caught in irregular migration as witnesses or accused of the
crime of the same name.

If you want to download the whole report please click HERE 

You can read the whole report HERE

NGO “Legis” is leading an ongoing regional cooperation project: “COVID-19 Challenges within the Migrant and Refugee Response in the Western Balkans” in cooperation with local human rights organizations from Serbia (Asylum Protection Center / Centar za zaštitu i pomoć tražiocima azila (APC/CZA) and Bosnia and Herzegovina (International Forum of solidarity-EMMAUS) that work together on regional analysis; measuring the effects of the pandemic over access to the right to health for refugees and migrants. The project is funded by Balkan Trust for Democracy, a project of the German Marshall Fund of the United States and the USAID.
In regards to the project activities, Legis and partner organization conducted in depth local analysis, assessing the “Access to right to health for refugees and migrants”, country reports findings will be included in the Regional analysis to be issued by the end of June 2022. Legis is an organization working directly on the field through the pandemic, collecting data since 25th March, 2020 when the COVID-19 virus outbreak began in North Macedonia. This country report reflects on the access to the right of health of refugees and migrants, who transit, reside and/or are deported from the country.

See the full report HERE

Monitoring access to human rights for refugees and migrants in Republic North Macedonia, supported by the Macedonian Young Lawyers Association includes monitoring of irregular migration and smuggling of people across the territory of North Macedonia.

About the project:

Monitoring access to human rights for refugees and migrants in Republic North Macedonia, supported by the Macedonian Young Lawyers Association includes monitoring of irregular migration and smuggling of people across the territory of North Macedonia. The project consists of:

1. Monitoring access to refugees and migrants in irregular migration and organized crime groups

2. Public awareness on irregular migration and organized crime

3. Legal counsel and cooperation with Institutions for improvement of the access to HR and protection for refugees and migrants in irregular migration

In accordance activities, Legis publishes monthly reports on irregular migration and access to HR and protection with focus on women and children and, overall population in irregular migration.

Northern border:

Irregular migration on the Northern border is concentrated in the so called Lipkovo region and villages: Vaksince, Lojane and Sopot. For the month of January, 2022, total of 192 migrants transited in the transit-border center Tabanovce. Out of which 192 people, 85- Afghanistan,  43 from India, 31 – Pakistan, 13-Syria , 9-Cuba, 7-Morocco,  2- Tunis, 1-Turkey and 1-Egypt. Most of the people registered were Adults: 174 (170 males, 4 females) Children: 18 (all of them accompanied)

On 25.01.2022, in a police station in Kumanovo a report was submitted of 2 people perceived to be dead next to the railway near the village Tabanovce. The local police confirmed the information of 2 people found dead with injuries indicating they were hit by a train.  One of the foreigners were identified as J.K from Afghanistan while there are still no information about the identity of the second person Following instructions from the Public Prosecutor, the bodies were handed over for burial by the local Mosque.

Southern border:

Irregular migration on the Southern border is concentrated in the so called Demir Kapija region, cities: Gevgelija, Dojran, Bogdanci and Valandovo, and focal villages: Udovo, Mrzenci, Miravci and other small villages as it is heavy populated border. For the month of December, our team has reported 13 people, out of which:  7-Syria 4-India, 2- Cuba, 7-Syria and came from groups and/or individuals in irregular migration and/or transit organized by criminal groups brought within the Southern camp Gevgelija.  Groups or individuals caught in irregular migration in this region are processed within the border camp Vinojug-Gevgelija and pushed back to Greece or detained for further criminal proceedings.

Organized crime/smuggling of migrants:

On 22.01.2022, 9 people, 4 from India and 5 from Syria, were brought to the camp, which are treated as a criminal offense.

For the reporting period of January, 3 criminal investigations on organized crime are opened regarding transportation of people/migrants without proper or no documentation, who pay for services to foreign and local criminal groups around the area of Gevgelija on the Southern border. On the 28.01.2022, 9 people were brought to the transit-border center Vinojug, out of which today 5 from Syria and 4 from India. They were in an Audi vehicle that was transporting them through Valandovo area, after which it had a car accident due to high speed and reckless driving. The driver was not caught. One person had minor injuries while other passengers were unharmed and brought to the transit border center Vinojug. Statements were taken 2 days after the accident in this border-center by inspectors from the local police in Gevgelija.  On 29.01.2022 at 13:15 by police officers from the Police Station “Bogorodica” on the highway A1, at the paytoll road “Demir Kapija”, in a taxi “Dacia Logan”, with Skopje license plates, driven by SS ( 56) from Skopje found 4 people,  LSM (37), A.M.N.Z. (47) and A.G.M. (52), all from Cuba.

Total of 13 people were placed in transit-border camp Vinonjug for further processing as part of ongoing criminal investigation against known an unknown individuals as witnesses in criminal proceedings for organized crime i.e. smuggling people from the Southern to the Northern border of the country. According to the Ministry of Internal affairs public reports, the alleged perpetrators are local transporters. All migrants caught in irregular migration are questioned and further given short notice to leave the country receiving at least 5 years ban to re-enter.

Monitoring access to human rights for refugees and migrants in Republic North Macedonia, supported by the Macedonian Young Lawyers Association includes monitoring of irregular migration and smuggling of people across the territory of North Macedonia. The project consists of:

1. Monitoring access to refugees and migrants in irregular migration and organized crime groups

2. Public awareness on irregular migration and organized crime

3. Legal counsel and cooperation with Institutions for improvement of the access to HR and protection for refugees and migrants in irregular migration

In accordance activities, Legis publishes monthly reports on irregular migration and access to HR and protection with focus on women and children and, overall population in irregular migration.

Northern border:

Irregular migration on the Northern border is concentrated in the so called Lipkovo region and villages: Vaksince, Lojane and Sopot. For the month of December, 311 migrants out of which 139 from India, 64-Syria, 38 – Pakistan, 20-Cuba, 16-Avghanistan, 13-Palestine, 10-Morocco,  5- Bangladesh, 2- Tunis, 1- Senegal, 1- Sri Lanka, 1-Turkey and 1-Portugal. Most of the people registered were Adults: 293 (270 Males, 23 Females) Children: 18 (1 being unaccompanied).

On 16.12.2021 a person (unregistered foreigner) died in the Kumanovo hospital. According to public information, a week prior to being hospitalized, he was found unconscious on the street “Nikola Tesla” in the city of Kumanovo on the 09th of December when he was admitted in the General Hospital. As this person was not registered in the camp Tabanovce and didn’t have personal documents, a burial was organized in the city cemetery in Kumanovo without identification.

Southern border:

Irregular migration on the Southern border is concentrated in the so called Demir Kapija region, cities: Gevgelija, Dojran, Bogdanci and Valandovo, and focal villages: Udovo, Mrzenci, Miravci and other small villages as it is heavy populated border. For the month of December, our team has reported 33 people, out of which: 16-India, 12- Cuba, 4-Syria and 1-Pakistan and came from groups and/or individuals in irregular migration and/or transit organized by criminal groups brought within the Southern camp Gevgelija.  Groups or individuals caught in irregular migration in this region are processed within the border camp Vinojug-Gevgelija and pushed back to Greece or detained for further criminal proceedings.

On 05.12.2021, 9 people are accommodated as part of investigation on organized crime; they are detained in the camp Vinojug- Gevgelija until they are heard in the Public Prosecutor's Office.

On 18.12.2021, 6 people from India, (1 female; 4 male and 1 child) as part of investigation on organized crime; they are detained in the camp Vinojug- Gevgelija until they are heard in the Public Prosecutor's Office.

Organized crime/smuggling of migrants:

For the reporting period of December, 6 criminal investigations on organized crime are opened regarding transportation of people/migrants without proper or no documentation, who pay for services to foreign and local criminal groups. Total of 136 people were placed in transit-border camps for further processing as part of ongoing criminal investigation against individuals and groups transporting the people from the Southern to the Northern border of the country. According to the Ministry of Internal affairs public reports, the alleged perpetrators are local from Tetovo, Shtip and Gevgelija, while in 2 of the cases reports indicate 2 people from Pakistan and 1 from Serbia as foreign transporters.  All migrants caught in irregular migration are questioned and further given short notice to leave the country receiving at least 5 years ban to re-enter.

About the project: 

Monitoring access to human rights for refugees and migrants in Republic North Macedonia, supported by the Macedonian Young Lawyers Association includes monitoring of irregular migration and smuggling of people across the territory of North Macedonia. The project consists of:

1. Monitoring access to refugees and migrants in irregular migration and organized crime groups

2. Public awareness on irregular migration and organized crime

3. Legal counsel and cooperation with Institutions for improvement of the access to HR and protection for refugees and migrants in irregular migration

In accordance activities, Legis publishes monthly reports on irregular migration and access to HR and protection with focus on women and children and, overall population in irregular migration. 

Northern border:

Irregular migration on the Northern border is concentrated in the so called Lipkovo region and villages: Vaksince, Lojane and Sopot. For the month of November, 35 migrants from Syria, 13 unaccompanied minors were caught in village Lojane and taken to the Northern border camp Tabanovce. The next day on 20.11.2021, the group went to Serbia and made a complaint for being harassed in Lojane, however, did not provide details or made official complaint within the camp during interviews.  

Southern border:

Irregular migration on the Southern border is concentrated in the so called Demir Kapija region, cities: Gevgelija, Dojran, Bogdanci and Valandovo, and focal villages: Udovo, Mrzenci, Miravci and other small villages as it is heavy populated border. For the month of November, our team has reported 20 people, groups and/or individuals in irregular migration and/or transit organized by criminal groups brought within the Southern camp Gevgelija.  Groups or individuals caught in irregular migration in this region are processed within the border camp Vinojug-Gevgelija and pushed back to Greece within few hours. Only IOM staff has access to records and people caught in irregular migration in cooperation with the Ministry of Internal affairs. 

Criminal cases:

A competent public prosecutor from the Basic Public Prosecutor's Office for Prosecution of Organized Crime and Corruption has issued an order to conduct an investigation against two adults from Pakistan and two juveniles from Afghanistan at 21 of November. The suspects are charged with the criminal offense of Organizing a group and inciting the commission of the offenses of trafficking in human beings, trafficking in minors and smuggling of migrants under Article 418-c paragraph 2 and the crime of Smuggling of migrants under Article 418-b paragraph 4 c. c. paragraphs 2 and 3 of the Criminal Code. 

In this so called camps, migrants were forcibly detained, their mobile phones and personal documents confiscated, preventing them from having any contact outside the camps. Taking advantage of their powerlessness, the suspects physically abused the victims, photographed them and sent the photos to their families, asking them for money to let the victims continue on their route, using force and threats to extort money from the victims. behaved in an extremely cruel and humiliating manner, and had sexual relations with some. As a result of international cooperation with the law enforcement authorities from the Republic of Serbia, where two damaged migrants reported the events, the improvised camp was discovered and the coordinated action was carried out yesterday. Thirty-five migrants were found in the camp, nine of whom were children aged fourteen and fifteen. The suspects were brought before a pre-trial judge who accepted the proposal of the Basic Public Prosecutor's Office to prosecute organized crime and corruption and determined a measure of detention for all suspects – detention for 30 days. The crimes for which the suspects are charged are punishable by imprisonment of at least 8 years.

Monitoring access to human rights for refugees and migrants in Republic North Macedonia, supported by the Macedonian Young Lawyers Association includes monitoring of irregular migration and smuggling of people across the territory of North Macedonia. The project consists of:

1. Monitoring access to refugees and migrants in irregular migration and organized crime groups

2. Public awareness on irregular migration and organized crime

3. Legal counsel and cooperation with Institutions for improvement of the access to HR and protection for refugees and migrants in irregular migration

In accordance activities, Legis publishes monthly reports on irregular migration and access to HR and protection with focus on women and children and, overall population in irregular migration. 

Northern border:

Irregular migration on the Northern border is concentrated in the so called Lipkovo region and villages: Vaksince, Lojane and Sopot but also in the transit center Tabanovce. For the month of October, 190 people were located. The majority of the people in the group were from India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Cuba, Ghana, Iraq, Palestine, Iraq, China, Syria. Some of the group in the Vilage of Loyane was not escorted or brought by organized crime groups.  

Southern border:

Irregular migration on the Southern border is concentrated in the so called Demir Kapija region, cities: Gevgelija, Dojran, Bogdanci and Valandovo, and focal villages: Udovo, Mrzenci, Miravci and other small villages as it is heavy populated border. For the month of October, our team has not reported groups and/or individuals in irregular migration and/or transit organized by criminal groups.  Groups or individuals caught in irregular migration in this region are processed within the border camp Vinojug-Gevgelija and pushed back to Greece within few hours. Only IOM staff has access to records and people caught in irregular migration in cooperation with the Ministry of Internal affairs. For the officialy published numbers, 52 refugees and migrants were register in the transit camp Vinojug, Gevgelija.

The bodies of two dead migrants, were found on 21 of Octomber near to the village Miravci, Gevgelija.Upon authorization of the Public Prosecutor, police officers from the Gevgelija Police Department inspected and an identification card issued by the Republic of Greece was found in one person and it was determined that it was a minor from Afghanistan, while no identification documents were found in the other person. By order of the Public Prosecutor, the bodies were given for autopsy. The Legis team, send a request to the public prosecutor office for more details related to this case.

About the project: 

Monitoring access to human rights for refugees and migrants in Republic North Macedonia, supported by the Macedonian Young Lawyers Association includes monitoring of irregular migration and smuggling of people across the territory of North Macedonia. The project consists of:

1. Monitoring access to refugees and migrants in irregular migration and organized crime groups

2. Public awareness on irregular migration and organized crime

3. Legal counsel and cooperation with Institutions for improvement of the access to HR and protection for refugees and migrants in irregular migration

In accordance activities, Legis publishes monthly reports on irregular migration and access to HR and protection with focus on women and children and, overall population in irregular migration. 

Northern border:

Irregular migration on the Northern border is concentrated in the so called Lipkovo region and villages: Vaksince, Lojane and Sopot. For the month of August, 25 people were located in the village out of which 3 women and 5 children. The majority of the people in the group were from Afghanistan, 2 from Pakistan. The group was not escorted or brought by organized crime groups.  

Southern border:

Irregular migration on the Southern border is concentrated in the so called Demir Kapija region, cities: Gevgelija, Dojran, Bogdanci and Valandovo, and focal villages: Udovo, Mrzenci, Miravci and other small villages as it is heavy populated border. For the month of August, our team has not reported groups and/or individuals in irregular migration and/or transit organized by criminal groups.  Groups or individuals caught in irregular migration in this region are processed within the border camp Vinojug-Gevgelija and pushed back to Greece within few hours. Only IOM staff has access to records and people caught in irregular migration in cooperation with the Ministry of Internal affairs.