Transfer of migrants from camp Vucjak postponed: Reason unknown

The transfer of migrants from the Vucjak camp near Bihac, which was planned for today, has been postponed, media in Bosnia and Herzegovina are reporting, citing the International Organization for Migration (IOM).

For the time being, the exact reason behind the decision is unknown, although it is assumed that the authorities have not completed preparations to accommodate migrants in the Blazuj barracks near Sarajevo and expand facilities in Usivak, also near Sarajevo, Klix.ba reports.

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"There will be no voluntary removal of migrants from Vucjak this morning. If the IOM conducts a relocation it will be based solely on their (migrants') consent. So, only if they want to be temporarily housed in one of the centers and be given adequate humanitarian assistance. Those who don't want that, we have to respect their decision," said Edita Selimbegovic of the IOM.

Photo: Klix.ba

The deportation of migrants from Vucjak to Sarajevo was agreed a few days ago during a meeting between BiH Security Minister Dragan Mektic and Una-Sana Canton Prime Minister Mustafa Ruznic.

According to initial estimates, 350 migrants were to be transported to Blazej, while the rest were to be sent to Usivak and the Bira and Miral reception centers in the canton's territory.

Migrants have been refusing for days to be removed from Vucjak because, as they have repeatedly said, they want to continue towards the territory of the European Union not return to the central parts of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Video: Migrants jumping over the fence between Serbia and Hungary

(Telegraf.rs/Tanjug)