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Bosnia-Herzegovina

European Rights Official Warns Of Death At 'Shameful' Bosnian Migrant Camp

Migrants on a road near the Vucjak refugee camp in Bihac, Bosnia-Herzegovina, on October 30.
1/14 Migrants on a road near the Vucjak refugee camp in Bihac, Bosnia-Herzegovina, on October 30.
Hundreds of migrants stranded in a camp in the Bosnian forest are at risk as the Balkan winter approaches, aid workers say.
A migrant huddles next to a fire as cold weather begins to bite in the makeshift camp, a few kilometers from the border with Croatia.
2/14 A migrant huddles next to a fire as cold weather begins to bite in the makeshift camp, a few kilometers from the border with Croatia.
Hundreds of migrants stranded in a camp in the Bosnian forest are at risk as the Balkan winter approaches, aid workers say.
A Bosnian policeman in the Vucjak camp talks with migrants. Bosnia has seen a buildup of Middle Eastern and Asian migrant numbers since nearby EU members Hungary, Slovenia, and Croatia sealed their borders to undocumented migrants.
3/14 A Bosnian policeman in the Vucjak camp talks with migrants. Bosnia has seen a buildup of Middle Eastern and Asian migrant numbers since nearby EU members Hungary, Slovenia, and Croatia sealed their borders to undocumented migrants.
Hundreds of migrants stranded in a camp in the Bosnian forest are at risk as the Balkan winter approaches, aid workers say.
A phone charging station in the Vucjak camp. According to Bosnian officials, <a href="https://www.france24.com/en/20191024-it-s-the-jungle-bosnian-migrant-camp-in-crisis">at least 6,000 migrants</a> are currently stranded in the Bihac region.
4/14 A phone charging station in the Vucjak camp. According to Bosnian officials, at least 6,000 migrants are currently stranded in the Bihac region.
Hundreds of migrants stranded in a camp in the Bosnian forest are at risk as the Balkan winter approaches, aid workers say.
Men warm themselves by a fire inside the Vucjak camp.
5/14 Men warm themselves by a fire inside the Vucjak camp.
Hundreds of migrants stranded in a camp in the Bosnian forest are at risk as the Balkan winter approaches, aid workers say.
As of 2018, around 35 percent of the migrants in the camp were Pakistanis, 20 percent were Afghans, and 20 percent claimed to be from Syria, though an official <a href="https://youtu.be/Gf2SaMdCp10?t=402">cast doubt</a> on that figure. Syrians and Afghans are widely seen as most deserving of refugee status due to the ongoing war in their home countries.
6/14 As of 2018, around 35 percent of the migrants in the camp were Pakistanis, 20 percent were Afghans, and 20 percent claimed to be from Syria, though an official cast doubt on that figure. Syrians and Afghans are widely seen as most deserving of refugee status due to the ongoing war in their home countries.
Hundreds of migrants stranded in a camp in the Bosnian forest are at risk as the Balkan winter approaches, aid workers say.
Migrants walking near the Croatian border. Most of the men are trying to leave Bosnia-Herzegovina and enter Croatia, an EU member. From there, many hope to head further north to wealthy Western European countries such as Germany and Sweden.
7/14 Migrants walking near the Croatian border. Most of the men are trying to leave Bosnia-Herzegovina and enter Croatia, an EU member. From there, many hope to head further north to wealthy Western European countries such as Germany and Sweden.
Hundreds of migrants stranded in a camp in the Bosnian forest are at risk as the Balkan winter approaches, aid workers say.
But crossing the border illegally has become increasingly difficult. This Afghan migrant says he was beaten by Bosnian police.<br /> &nbsp;
8/14 But crossing the border illegally has become increasingly difficult. This Afghan migrant says he was beaten by Bosnian police.
 
Hundreds of migrants stranded in a camp in the Bosnian forest are at risk as the Balkan winter approaches, aid workers say.
A sheep is slaughtered in the Vucjak camp.
9/14 A sheep is slaughtered in the Vucjak camp.
Hundreds of migrants stranded in a camp in the Bosnian forest are at risk as the Balkan winter approaches, aid workers say.
But a UN official has demanded more be done to house the stranded migrants in Bosnia as winter approaches, calling the Vucjak camp &ldquo;absolutely inappropriate and inadequate for accommodating human beings.&rdquo; This migrant is seen in a smoke-filled tent, apparently from a fire lit to warm up the flimsy shelter.<br /> &nbsp;
10/14 But a UN official has demanded more be done to house the stranded migrants in Bosnia as winter approaches, calling the Vucjak camp “absolutely inappropriate and inadequate for accommodating human beings.” This migrant is seen in a smoke-filled tent, apparently from a fire lit to warm up the flimsy shelter.
 
Hundreds of migrants stranded in a camp in the Bosnian forest are at risk as the Balkan winter approaches, aid workers say.
According to Peter Van der Auweraert of the International Organization for Migration, 80-85 percent of the camp&rsquo;s population are economic migrants &quot;rather than people in need of international protections.&quot;<br /> &nbsp;
11/14 According to Peter Van der Auweraert of the International Organization for Migration, 80-85 percent of the camp’s population are economic migrants "rather than people in need of international protections."
 
Hundreds of migrants stranded in a camp in the Bosnian forest are at risk as the Balkan winter approaches, aid workers say.
Adding to a rising sense of crisis, the Bihac city administration recently announced it will no longer pay for garbage collection and water supplies for the camp.
12/14 Adding to a rising sense of crisis, the Bihac city administration recently announced it will no longer pay for garbage collection and water supplies for the camp.
Hundreds of migrants stranded in a camp in the Bosnian forest are at risk as the Balkan winter approaches, aid workers say.
On October 21, Bihac&rsquo;s mayor told reporters: &ldquo;Ever since the Vucjak [migrant camp] was established, the city of Bihac has provided all kinds of services, including water delivery, through its public companies. We delivered 20,000 liters of water daily.&rdquo;
13/14 On October 21, Bihac’s mayor told reporters: “Ever since the Vucjak [migrant camp] was established, the city of Bihac has provided all kinds of services, including water delivery, through its public companies. We delivered 20,000 liters of water daily.”
Hundreds of migrants stranded in a camp in the Bosnian forest are at risk as the Balkan winter approaches, aid workers say.
A migrant cleans his bedding among tents at the Vucjak camp. Since 2018, the EU has paid Bosnia 34 million euros ($37.4 million) to help manage the country&rsquo;s migrant situation.<br /> &nbsp;
14/14 A migrant cleans his bedding among tents at the Vucjak camp. Since 2018, the EU has paid Bosnia 34 million euros ($37.4 million) to help manage the country’s migrant situation.
 
Hundreds of migrants stranded in a camp in the Bosnian forest are at risk as the Balkan winter approaches, aid workers say.
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Migrants at a refugee camp in Bosnia-Herzegovina have begun a hunger strike as a top European human rights official warned that the temporary facility needs to be closed immediately or "people will start to die."

At a visit on December 3 to the Vucjak camp near Bihac, Dunja Mijatovic, the high representative for human rights at the Council of Europe, decried the conditions at the camp, which are expected to deteriorate as winter quickly closes in.

"This is a shame for Bosnia and Herzegovina. As a Bosnian I am ashamed because of the Vucjak situation," Mijatovic said as snow flurries enveloped the area.

The Vucjak camp, built in June on a former landfill, currently hosts around 600 people. It does not have electricity or running water, while the tents housing migrants were erected on bare ground.

The European Union has given Bosnia more than 36 million euros ($40 million) in aid, but conditions at Vucjak are so bad that "no EU financial support can, or will be, provided for it," EU Migration Commissioner Dimitris Avramopoulos said on November 14.

'This Camp Is For Animals': Calls To Relocate Migrants In Bosnia As Winter Looms
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'This Camp Is For Animals': Calls To Relocate Migrants In Bosnia As Winter Looms
by RFE/RL

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0:00 0:02:27 0:00

Most migrants have gathered in the northwestern part of Bosnia, which borders EU member Croatia, prompting local authorities to demand that other parts of the country share the burden.

Mijatovic said talks will be held with officials of Una Sana Canton, as well as with the government in Sarajevo, at the end of the week.

An estimated 50,000 migrants have crossed into Bosnia since last year putting additional pressure on the impoverished nation. The government in Sarajevo, perpetually blocked by ethnic squabbling, has failed to act.

In mid-November, the Doctors Without Borders (MSF) group said that the improvised refugee camp does not meet basic living standards and was a "dangerous and inhumane place."

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