20 June 2019
Skopje
JUNE 20TH - WORLD REFUGEE DAY
Every year the world celebrates World Refugee Day on June 20th.
It's worth mentioning that around the world over 37.000 people due to different causes are forced against their will to flee their homes and places of living. In 2018, a total of 70,8 million people were forcefully displaced because of war, persecution and clashes in their countries.
Of the total number of refugees in the world, two thirds originate from Syria, Afghanistan, South Sudan, Myanmar and Somalia.
Ombudsman, on the occasion of celebrating World Refugee Day, has expressed concern and during 2018 the same problems have been lingering as many years before
.
In the Republic of North Macedonia there is continued implementation of collective deportations of refugees, without prior observance of official procedures. What is most alarming is the fact that apart from the suggestions of the Ombudsman about not detaining minors at the Private Center for foreigners in Gazi Baba, nevertheless there have been cases were minors were detained, without using other alternative means of retention.
Ombudsman states that during 2018, not one person seeking asylum has achieved status as a recognized refugee, and it's evident that the problem with realization of the plan and programme for integration of refugees in the Republic of North Macedonia.
Because of that, Ombudsman is appealing to raise public awareness in regards to the refugee's contribution in the societies and communities who accept them, and indicates the need of straightening the system for legal aid and achieving the right of refugees who are who are housed in the country's private centers.
OMBUDSMAN