Roundtable on integration

Zagreb, 14 June 2010, As part of its celebratory week on occasion of the World Refugee Day, the Representation of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Croatia organized with the Croatian Ministry of Interior (MoI) a roundtable named "Integration of persons granted protection in the Republic of Croatia - Achievements and challenges".

The roundtable was held in Novinarski dom in Zagreb and gathered some 80 experts from competent governmental and non-governmental organization involved in the process of integration of refugees who were granted protection under the Law on Asylum in Croatia.

UNHCR supports the Government of Croatia in its efforts to develop and strengthen its asylum systems in line with international and EU standards. On this path, integration of persons to whom protection was granted is an essential part of international obligations of the Government.

The road to integration begins the very moment asylum seekers arrive in Croatia and become familiar with customs and traditions. The Kutina State Reception Center for Asylum Seekers is a place where they begin to learn the language and children attend the local school. When they are granted protection and leave the Asylum Home the uphill challenge begins. When trying to integrate asylees face certain difficulties including a lack of knowledge of the language and difficulty to find employment which would give them a chance to earn their livelihoods.

UNHCR advocates for an comprehensive integration programme and supports the Government in developing such a strategy through advising on legislative and practical hurdles, given the UN Refugee Agency's longstanding experience in Croatia and indeed worldwide.

On the occasion, the Deputy Prime Minister, Mr. Slobodan Uzelac noted the high standards the Republic of Croatia is implementing in regards to the protection of asylum seekers especially within the legal framework. Nevertheless, he stated that: "the implementation of the law should follow similar standards and issues and obstacles should be resolved by quality joint and continuous cooperation of relevant ministries and institutions". Uzelac also praised the involvement of the civil sector and non-governmental organization in the process of asylee integration in the country.

Addressing the gathering, the UNHCR Representative in Croatia, Mr Wilfried Buchhorn, on occasion of World Refugee day, honored the 43 million people fleeing violence and persecution in the world. When it comes to the issue of asaylee integration in Croatia, Buchhorn stated: "Ten and more years ago, no one would have taught that Croatia will become a country in which someone would ask for asylum. That has changed and by joining the EU Croatia will become more attractive to those fleeing conflict and persecution. It is then the right time to establish new partnerships and jointly compare laws with practice, see what can be done better and raise awareness of the fact that Croatia today is surely a country offering protection to asylum seekers while continuously adjusting and improving its asylum system that will eventually lead to full integration into Croatian society".

The recommendation stemming from the expert roundtable consists of a need to develop further the integration policy and programs which would enable the people who were granted protection to fully integrate in Croatian society, put down new roots in their new home and build a self sustainable future.