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.
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.
