Croatian border police are burning the clothes, mobile phones and passports of asylum seekers who manage to reach the country from Bosnia, according to humanitarian organization No Name Kitchen (NKK). An NNK report that you have accessed The Guardian, With photographs of burned objects, along with testimonies of sexual assaults and beatings by police, it brings together the latest alleged evidence of brutality against people trying to cross the borders of the European Union.
“Croatian police searched my baby’s diaper”: the dangerous Balkan migration route
NNK is an independent movement present in the border areas of the Balkans and the Mediterranean, where it provides humanitarian aid to people experiencing violent repatriations and other forms of abuse.
Every day, thousands of people from South Asia, the Middle East and North Africa and, increasingly, China, attempt to cross the Balkans with the aim of entering the EU. Facilities to accommodate them are scarce and these people are forced to spend most of the arduous journey in makeshift camps or at train stations. Many of them are arrested and searched by the Croatian border police. There are reports of some being robbed and violently forced to turn around and return to Bosnia, where thousands of asylum seekers can be left outside in temperatures often below freezing.
These rejections constitute a clear violation of international law, which establishes that asylum seekers must be able to submit their application once they have entered the borders of a country. NNK detailed the location of eight large “burn piles” where Croatian police officers allegedly incinerated people’s belongings and documents needed to apply for asylum once they arrived in the EU.
According to activists, some burned mobile phones may contain evidence of abuses committed by the Croatian police, as asylum seekers managed to take photographs and videos of these actions.
The NNK was aware of these burning fires, as some people expelled from Croatia whom they had helped had described them, but had not been able to verify these reports until now. Activists traveled to the Bosnia-Croatia border in late 2023 and early 2024 to collect evidence of the burn piles mentioned in testimonies.
The organization identified locations in areas known for returns and was able to document the destruction of identification documents, bags of personal effects, hundreds of phones, shoes, glasses, official documents, portable batteries, money and other items of daily use. The images collected coincide with the stories of the expelled people.
He also collected testimonies denouncing violence by the border police. In December 2023, a 23-year-old pregnant Moroccan woman said she was sexually assaulted by Croatian officers before guards burned her belongings, along with those of other members of her group. The woman, who was traveling with her husband, another woman and three children, said a border guard subjected her to an invasive search, which included the inside of her genitals, and threatened to rape her. The search “was the worst thing that ever happened to me,” the woman said: “I would have preferred him to hit me rather than search me like that.”
According to the woman’s story, after the guards had let go of the group, which had reversed towards Bosnia, the officers burned the objects that had been confiscated from them.
According to another testimony, in November 2023, a group of four Moroccan men were beaten by police officers who then burned their belongings.
According to this testimony, the police forced the men to walk barefoot among the hot ashes, threatening them with truncheons. NNK activists say the Moroccan man they spoke to suffered burns on the soles of his feet.
Croatia denies the abuses
Despite testimonies from aid workers and journalists, Croatia consistently denies expelling asylum seekers to Bosnia or using violence against them. Recently, the NNK presented its evidence to
A spokesperson for the Croatian Interior Ministry said the government has a “zero tolerance policy towards any possible illegal activity committed by its personnel” and that it has an independent mechanism to monitor police conduct. Regarding the testimonies of the pregnant woman and the group of four Moroccan men, the spokesperson said that “it is absolutely inconceivable that such an incident could occur without immediately reporting it to the police.”
The spokesperson underlines that human traffickers are often responsible for violence and theft at the border and that the police have documented “many cases of trumped-up complaints”.
“Regarding allegations that Croatian police are burning items confiscated from migrants, we would like to point out that, to avoid being sent back to Croatia as applicants for international protection, migrants sometimes destroy documents and abandon personal belongings when attempting to cross illegally. border,” says the
In 2019, then-Croatian President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarović appeared to acknowledge these returns in an interview with the Swiss television network SFR. Although he denied it for months, on that trip to Switzerland he acknowledged that the police had used force, but denied that the repatriations were illegal.
In 2021, the European Court of Human Rights ruled that Croatian police were responsible for the death of a six-year-old Afghan girl, Medina Hussinywho together with her family was forced to return to Serbia via the train tracks. She died when hit by a train.
Translation by Emma Reverter
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How can humanitarian organizations effectively support asylum seekers encountering abuse along the Balkan route?
Interview between Time.news Editor and Migration Expert Dr. Elena Novak
Time.news Editor: Welcome, Dr. Novak. Thank you for joining us today to discuss this troubling report from No Name Kitchen regarding the treatment of asylum seekers at the Croatian border. It paints a grim picture of the situation. Can you summarize some of the key findings for our readers?
Dr. Novak: Absolutely, and thank you for having me. The No Name Kitchen report reveals that Croatian border police are allegedly burning the belongings, including clothes, mobile phones, and passports, of asylum seekers arriving from Bosnia. This practice, alongside testimonies of physical violence and sexual assaults, highlights severe human rights violations facing these vulnerable populations. Such actions not only violate international law but also contribute to the cycle of trauma these individuals endure.
Time.news Editor: That’s indeed shocking. One of the most disturbing aspects mentioned in the report is the claimed destruction of mobile phones belonging to asylum seekers. What implications does this have for documenting abuses?
Dr. Novak: The burning of mobile phones is particularly concerning, as many of these devices may contain evidence of the abuses faced by asylum seekers, including photographs or videos. This incident highlights a broader issue of accountability; by destroying such evidence, authorities can potentially evade scrutiny for their actions. It also underscores the isolation that many migrants endure, as they are stripped of their means to communicate or document their struggles.
Time.news Editor: The report also discusses the testimonies of asylum seekers who have faced harassment and violence. Can you share your thoughts on the psychological impact these experiences may have on them?
Dr. Novak: The psychological toll is immense. Experiences such as being subjected to invasive searches, physical abuse, and the fear of sexual violence can lead to long-lasting trauma. Many asylum seekers are already fleeing horrific circumstances in their home countries. The additional layers of abuse they face while seeking safety can exacerbate their mental health issues, leading to conditions such as PTSD, anxiety, and depression.
Time.news Editor: Croatia has denied these allegations, asserting that they have mechanisms in place to monitor police conduct. How credible do you find these assurances in light of the evidence presented by No Name Kitchen?
Dr. Novak: The denials from the Croatian government are concerning, especially considering the consistent reports from aid organizations and eyewitness accounts. While it’s essential for states to have monitoring mechanisms, accountability relies on transparency and the willingness to address reported misconduct effectively. So far, Croatia’s response seems dismissive rather than proactive. An independent investigation into these claims would be crucial for restoring trust and ensuring accountability.
Time.news Editor: What can humanitarian organizations and governments do to protect the rights of asylum seekers who are facing such hardships along the Balkan route?
Dr. Novak: There needs to be a multi-faceted approach. Firstly, it’s essential to ensure humanitarian aid and legal assistance are readily available to those on the move. Organizations like No Name Kitchen are doing vital work, but funding and support are needed to expand their reach. Secondly, advocacy for policy changes at both the national and EU levels is imperative to uphold the rights of asylum seekers. Lastly, fostering a culture of accountability and transparency within border enforcement agencies is crucial. Training programs on human rights for border officers could also make a significant difference in how these individuals are treated.
Time.news Editor: Thank you, Dr. Novak, for your valuable insights on this pressing issue. Having an expert perspective adds immense depth to our understanding of the plight faced by many asylum seekers in the Balkans.
Dr. Novak: Thank you for shedding light on this critical issue. It’s essential we continue to advocate for the rights of those who often go unheard.