Presentation of Mr Halil Duković, Committee Chairperson

Day 2 – session 1

SESSION III: “Towards a true European common migration and asylum policy”

Topic of the presentation: “On Asylum, Border Security, and Roma as the population most frequently exposed to trafficking in human beings” 

Chairpersons of the Committees Specialised in Fundamental Rights in Rome ended

Day two of the Meeting of Chairpersons of the Committees Specialised in Fundamental Rights, which is being held in Rome on 13 and 14 October 2014,   and attended by representatives of 21 EU member states, representatives of the European Parliament and institutions and bodies of the EU, as well as representatives of the applicant countries – Montenegro, Serbia and Turkey, was focused on two topics: “Towards a true European common migration and asylum policy” and “New tools to combat discrimination”. During the second day, participants discussed two topics, namely: “Towards a true European common migration and asylum policy” and “New tools to combat discrimination”. The keynote speakers were: Mr Angelino ALFANO, Italian Minister of the Interior, Robert K. VISSER, Executive Director of the European Asylum Support Office (EASO), François CREPEAU, United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Human Rights of Migrants and Elizabeth COLLETT, Director of the Migration Policy Institute - Europe

Chairperson of the Committee on Human Rights and Freedoms of the Parliament of Montenegro spoke within third session, on the topic:  “On Asylum, Border Security, and Roma as the population most frequently exposed to trafficking in human beings” ,  speaking on the occasion how Montenegro dealt with problem of migration and asylum. He said that Montenegro gained great experience in the period of application of the Law on Asylum, adopted in 2007.

Care for persons in the asylum system in Montenegro is performed by Directorate for the Care of Refugees (DCR), as a body which is part of the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare. Care includes assistance in exercising rights to: accommodation and adequate standard of living, education, health care, social protection, employment, legal assistance, freedom of religion, access to humanitarian and non-governmental organisations, humanitarian aid, family reunion, inclusion in society and other rights prescribed by law. In the period of enforcement of the Law on Asylum (January 2007), care was performed for the following number of persons: from 2007 to 2010 – 28 persons; 2011 – 240 persons; 2012 – 1464 persons; 2013 – 3472 persons. In the period from 01.01.2014 to 30.09.2014 – 923 persons. On 30.09.2014, there were 32 persons in care.
Until 20.02 2014, accommodation of persons in the asylum system was provided in rented premises in Podgorica, as alternative type of accommodation.

In 2013 and until 20.02.2014, all persons requesting asylum were provided with accommodation and one hot meal, as well as personal and joint hygiene products. Members of vulnerable groups (underage persons, pregnant women, breastfeeding women, etc.) were provided with three meals and underage persons with fruit snacks as well. Babies were provided with food and hygiene products, appropriate for that age.  Price of accommodation, hot meals and hygiene for one person per day, in alternative accommodation, starting from 01.06.2013 amounted to 7.50€..
Health care for persons in the asylum system is provided in the Public Health Institution in Podgorica. Centre for accommodation of asylum seekers, with capacity of 65 users, was built in Spuž – municipality of Danilovgrad. Project of building this Centre, in accordance with conclusion of the Government, was implemented by Directorate of Public Works and Directorate for the Care of Refugees (DCR) in cooperation with the EU Delegation to Montenegro and UNHCR, it was opened on 03.02.2014 (Minister of Labour and Social Welfare, Mr Predrag Bošković with Head of the EU Delegation to Montenegro Mr Mitja Drobnič, in presence of representatives: United Nations Agency, who have their offices in Podgorica, state authorities and public institutions, local self-government Danilovgrad, NGO sector etc. – Municipality of Danilovgrad.    

The Committee on Human Rights and Freedoms of the Parliament of Montenegro covered this topic in numerous meetings, and at its 15th meeting held on September 2013, in cooperation with Office for Action against Trafficking in Human Beings, by considering Information on Implementation of Strategy for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings 2012-2018 with Action Plan 2012-2013, in focus of GRETA Recommendations (Council of Europe) of March 2013 regarding implementation of the Council of Europe Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings.
Montenegro adopted laws: on asylum; on foreigners, by which human rights for refugees are provided (internally displaced and displaced people) with regard to access to employment, health care, education and housing; on citizenship - Amendments to the Law have significantly improved the Law, because refugees may obtain the citizenship under facilitated conditions.

On the other hand, integration of emigrants is very important in achieving social and political stability, in maximizing contributions which they give to social communities as well as in decreasing racism and xenophobia.
Particular vulnerability of RAE population in relation to trafficking in human beings is conditioned by a complex blend of different factors, which complicates their whole development and existence leaving a large number of problems in their everyday life. In combination with the often unresolved legal status, life in conditions of extreme poverty and very poor standards, particularly in terms of health and hygiene, non-possession of personal documents, health and social insurance, extremely poor education, while they often do not speak the official language - further complicates the possibility of action in strengthening their resilience in relation to trafficking.
Therefore, successful fight against trafficking in human beings involves multi-agency approach and distinct international cooperation both regarding prevention, protection of victims, and also prosecution of the crime. Office for Fight Against Trafficking in Human Beings of the Government of Montenegro, as umbrella institution in the state administration, coordinates the activities of all institutions and organisation in fighting trafficking in human beings, which follows dynamics and limits set by current strategic documents. Also, tripartite Commission, composed of representatives of the Supreme Public Prosecutor's Office, Supreme Court, Police Administration and the Office for Fight Against Trafficking in Human Beings has developed a unique form of monitoring of statistical indicators in the field of human trafficking and reporting. In that manner it is possible to follow the course of the criminal proceedings pending against the perpetrators of this crime.
Even though Montenegro has been recognised by relevant international entities as primarily transitional country, sometimes as a country of origin or final destination, in Montenegro we do not have serious problem of trafficking in human beings, it occurs at the level of individual cases, but also each individual case represents a problem. As a good response to this negative phenomenon of a modern society which  favours the current global society, the economic crisis and intensified demographic trends of population, we should emphasise the importance of adopting the new strategic document, which defines objectives, principles and directions in fight against trafficking in human beings and specific measures for improving efficiency of established system for fight against trafficking in human beings in public, private and civil sector.