More information
Description
The Center for Peace Studies, with its project "Providing Support to Victims of Violent Pushbacks”, seeks immediate action on a new escalation of violence against migrants perpetuated by Croatian police and the denial of access to the asylum system. The new escalation of violence during the coronavirus pandemic proves the brutality and systematic violence to which migrants are exposed, and the necessity of a quick reaction to such inhumane and illegal actions. The project aims to increase the level of support to victims of human rights violations. By providing legal and advocacy support to migrants who are victims of police brutality and violence and who have been denied access to the asylum system, we strive to empower victims and enable them to initiate accessible legal proceedings. Key activities include trips to Bosnia and Herzegovina and interviews with victims and documenting their human rights violations. In situations where victims will be willing, legal processes will be initiated. Direct contact with victims allows us to build a database of testimonies of victims of illegal and violent expulsions that will serve us for further advocacy towards the institutions of the European Union and the United Nations in order to take additional measures to stop these illegal practices and further promote international standards of human rights. The project target vulnerable and marginalized group of migrants, who due to their marginalized position do not have the opportunity to protect themselves from the violation of their human rights. The Center for Peace Studies, as the applicant and implementer, will have the responsibility of contacting victims and providing legal assistance and support in the processes that victims agree to initiate.
The project is oriented to migrants regardless on the gender, age or race (victims of human rights violations) through protection of and support to obtain their rights which is relevant only for Anti-discrimination policy marker.
Summary of project results
The project aimed to address the illegal and violent pushbacks of migrants from Croatia to Bosnia and Herzegovina, which escalated during the COVID-19 pandemic. These pushbacks were accompanied by brutal violence, physical abuse, and dehumanization of migrants, including documented cases of torture, humiliation, and illegal deportations. The project also sought to address the systematic denial of access to asylum for migrants and the violation of their human rights by Croatian authorities.
The project focused on providing legal support and advocacy for victims of illegal pushbacks. It involved direct contact with victims, offering free legal assistance, and filing criminal complaints against Croatian police officers involved in the abuse. The project also aimed to raise awareness through reports, press releases, and policy briefs sent to national and international stakeholders. It established a system for direct communication with migrants through phone lines, enabling legal consultations and reporting illegal deportations. Additionally, the project worked with international organizations, including the Danish Refugee Council, to strengthen legal responses and advocacy actions.
The project achieved significant results by providing direct legal support to 6 victims of pushbacks, filing two criminal complaints, and raising international awareness about the issue. It facilitated communication with 226 migrants seeking international protection, offering them legal information and guidance. The project enhanced the role of the Center for Peace Studies (CMS) as an organization that tracks illegal pushbacks, informs victims of their legal rights, and advocates for justice. Advocacy activities resulted in increased media coverage and engagement from key international actors, such as the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights and the European Parliament. These actions contributed to the ongoing discourse on the European Union''s migration policies and the need for accountability for the human rights violations occurring at the Croatian border. The project''s long-term impact includes the strengthened collaboration within the Border Violence Monitoring Network (BVMN) and the dissemination of best practices to other organizations.