Bosnia Fears Croatia's Border Immigration Center Will Facilitate Illegal Migrant Transfers

Bosnia and Herzegovina's Ministry of Security has informed its Border Police about Croatia's plan to build an immigration center. This center would be located at the former Željava airport, near the border with BiH. Istraga.ba learned that Croatian authorities intend to use this center to illegally transfer migrants into Bosnia. Officials are now assessing the potential impact on migration in BiH. The government of Una-Sana Canton has also been notified.

This practice has allegedly occurred before. In February, Croatian border police from Donji Lapac reportedly moved ten Egyptian migrants illegally into BiH. These migrants were said to be abused and lacked proper documents. Croatia's Interior Ministry denied these reports. In 2020, Croatia's Interior Ministry also allegedly transferred 33 migrants, including women and children, into BiH after they were beaten.

Croatian media reported earlier this year about plans for an immigration camp, with Željava as a possible site. These reports suggested a temporary camp with 450 containers for up to 1,500 migrants, funded by the European Commission. Local residents in Lika and near Plitvice Lakes protested these plans, fearing negative effects on tourism.