Dramatic situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina

7.9.2018

Question for written answer E-004570-18
to the Commission
Rule 130
Elly Schlein (S&D) , Judith Sargentini (Verts/ALE) , Juan Fernando López Aguilar (S&D) , Birgit Sippel (S&D) , Cornelia Ernst (GUE/NGL) , Andrejs Mamikins (S&D) , Claude Moraes (S&D) , Miguel Urbán Crespo (GUE/NGL) , Miltiadis Kyrkos (S&D) , Dietmar Köster (S&D) , Sergio Gaetano Cofferati (S&D) , Soraya Post (S&D) , Marie-Christine Vergiat (GUE/NGL) , Daniele Viotti (S&D) , Flavio Zanonato (S&D) , Sylvie Guillaume (S&D) , Ana Gomes (S&D) , Cécile Kashetu Kyenge (S&D) , Barbara Spinelli (GUE/NGL) , Eleonora Forenza (GUE/NGL) , Ska Keller (Verts/ALE) , Josef Weidenholzer (S&D) , Terry Reintke (Verts/ALE)

According to estimates, more than 12 000 migrants have entered the territory of Bosnia and Herzegovina so far this year, with thousands now located in the towns of Bihac and Velika Kladusa, where Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) and other NGOs have denounced the dramatic conditions in which they live, with neither adequate reception structures, nor sufficient basic and medical assistance available.

In addition, some newspapers and organisations have reported an alleged use of violence by the Croatian authorities against refugees crossing the border from Bosnia and Herzegovina. On 15 August 2018, The Guardian denounced alleged thefts and systematic violence by the Croatian police against refugees, also reported by MSF.

Is the Commission monitoring the use of European funds granted to Bosnia and Herzegovina for assisting migrants and ensuring adequate reception structures, including the EUR 1.5 million allocated in June and the EUR 6 million allocated in August?

What measures does the Commission intend to take to verify the alleged abuses and ensure respect for fundamental rights, including the right to request asylum in the EU?

Is the European Border and Coast Guard present at the border between Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina and, if so, how many units are involved?