Croatian Independent Monitoring Mechanism publishes 2025 Annual Report with recommendations on migrants’ rights at the border

The Croatian Independent Monitoring Mechanism (Nezavisni Mehanizam Nadzora) has published its 2025 Annual Report, based on data collected during 204 observation operations, including 49 green‑border observations and interviews with 50 foreign nationals. The findings draw on records from relevant facilities and locations, as well as interviews conducted mainly in transit and reception centres.

Based on the collected data, the report makes the following recommendations, among others:

• Access to international protection: Ensure that every person expressing the need for international protection at a border crossing or post is registered and referred without delay. Migrants should be clearly informed of the reasons for police intervention and of their rights, including access to international protection, legal aid, and healthcare. All information provision and requests for rights must be systematically documented. Police officers should be clearly identifiable.
• Temporary accommodation/detention: Guarantee adequate facility standards from the outset, including access to water, food, toilets, and healthcare. Avoid improvised accommodation. Ensure early identification of vulnerabilities and apply differentiated approaches based on legal status, family situation, or protection needs. Children, families, pregnant women, persons with disabilities, and others in vulnerable situations must be accommodated in conditions adapted to their needs.
• Health and psychosocial care: Ensure proper documentation of health screenings upon arrival, safeguard medical confidentiality, and strengthen responses to complex health needs, especially mental health, trauma, addiction, psychosocial vulnerability, and the needs of persons returned under the Dublin system who present significant physical or psychological difficulties.
• Operational conditions: Address staffing levels and the working conditions of police officers as matters that directly affect the protection of fundamental rights. Substantially increase interpretation and cultural mediation capacity. Ensure that staff working with migrants are trained in communication, interpersonal skills, cultural sensitivity, and the ability to recognise distress, vulnerability, trafficking indicators, gender‑based violence, and signs of physical or mental health deterioration. Where needed, improve communication and information equipment, and develop technical tools that enhance traceability and reduce unnecessary administrative burdens.