UNHCR's Lucie Gagné on Ukraine, refugees, and atatelessness in Bosnia

Gagné emphasized that the UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, estimates that 10.6 million Ukrainians have been displaced, nearly a quarter of the pre-war population.

"Within Ukraine, 3.7 million people are internally displaced, while 6.9 million have sought refuge and protection abroad. Over the past six months alone, more than 200,000 people have been forced to leave their homes in eastern Ukraine as hostilities have intensified. Given the ongoing suffering, the need for life-saving emergency assistance and recovery opportunities is more critical than ever," Gagné stated.

She highlighted UNHCR's direct engagement in emergency response efforts, including delivering urgent aid to those remaining in frontline settlements, providing psychosocial support, facilitating legal assistance to restore lost documents, ensuring access to administrative and social services, conducting home repairs, and offering financial aid. Additionally, the agency supports collective centers that house internally displaced persons.

"UNHCR does not promote returns at this time and urges all countries hosting Ukrainian refugees to continue providing protection, refraining from any measures that would force or pressure refugees to return to a war-torn country," Gagné stressed.

Ukrainian refugees in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Addressing the status of Ukrainian refugees in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Gagné noted that, as of the end of 2024, approximately 270 Ukrainian refugees were residing in the country.

"Unlike most European states, Bosnia and Herzegovina has not granted temporary protection to Ukrainian refugees. Instead, it has allowed their entry and short-term residence on humanitarian grounds. However, this status does not afford them essential rights such as health insurance, education, or employment. Essentially, they have only been granted the right to remain in Bosnia and Herzegovina," she explained.

She further noted that while Ukrainian asylum applications have been processed, they have only been granted subsidiary protection rather than full refugee status.

"We have advocated unsuccessfully for these individuals to be granted temporary protection. We firmly believe that those displaced by the ongoing international armed conflict in Ukraine meet the refugee definition under the 1951 Refugee Convention, which Bosnia and Herzegovina has ratified," Gagné stated.

UNHCR's presence and activities in the country

Gagné underscored that UNHCR has been active in Bosnia and Herzegovina since 1992, initially leading a large-scale humanitarian response during the conflict in the former Yugoslavia. Over the years, its role has shifted from emergency humanitarian aid to core mandate activities, including asylum processing, finding durable solutions for refugees, and addressing statelessness.

"Today, UNHCR works closely with authorities in Bosnia and Herzegovina to ensure access to a fair and efficient asylum procedure, resolve cases of statelessness, and support local integration for those granted international protection," she said.

By the end of 2024, a total of 256 individuals had been granted international protection in Bosnia and Herzegovina, primarily from Turkey, the Russian Federation, Ukraine, Syria, and other countries. Meanwhile, 203 asylum seekers were awaiting decisions on their applications.

Challenges in Bosnia's asylum system

Gagné noted that while irregular migration into Bosnia and Herzegovina decreased in 2024, the number of asylum applications increased by 59% compared to the previous year, primarily from Syrian, Turkish, and Palestinian nationals.

"Despite this increase, the ratio of positive to negative asylum decisions has remained stable. However, most applicants have not been granted full refugee status but instead received subsidiary protection, which does not provide durable solutions. A key example is the Palestinian asylum seekers recently evacuated from Gaza. These individuals qualify for refugee status under the 1951 Refugee Convention, yet none have been granted such recognition," she pointed out.

She also raised concerns about significant delays in processing asylum claims and the administrative obstacles faced by those granted international protection.

"Such procedural inefficiencies may discourage individuals in need of protection from pursuing asylum in Bosnia and Herzegovina and instead push them to seek refuge elsewhere," Gagné warned.

Legal aid and integration efforts

Gagné highlighted that asylum seekers and individuals in need of international protection can currently access information and legal representation through a non-governmental organization providing free legal aid in transit centers, supported by UNHCR.

She noted progress in expanding legal aid coverage, citing the Una-Sana Canton's recent amendment to its Law on Free Legal Aid in March 2024. This change now grants asylum seekers, refugees, and stateless persons access to free legal assistance, addressing a longstanding gap in Bosnia and Herzegovina’s legal aid system.

Additionally, she emphasized the role of the Ministry of Human Rights and Refugees, supported by UNHCR, in overseeing refugee integration and securing their rights.

"Thanks to UNHCR's advocacy efforts, unemployed refugees registered with municipal employment bureaus in Sarajevo Canton now have access to public employment programs. They receive equal treatment as Bosnian citizens, reducing their dependence on international aid and allowing them to contribute their skills to the communities that have welcomed them. We are also strengthening cooperation with the private sector, identifying companies willing to employ refugees," Gagné stated.

Addressing statelessness in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Gagné explained that statelessness remains a concern in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the wider Western Balkans region, primarily due to the dissolution of multi-ethnic states and the subsequent formation of new national entities.

"The breakup of the former Yugoslavia left thousands of individuals stateless or at risk of statelessness. For 25 years, UNHCR has supported Bosnia and Herzegovina’s efforts to resolve these cases," she stated.

Through collaboration with the "Vasa Prava BiH" Association, UNHCR has facilitated free legal aid for stateless individuals and advocated for streamlined birth and citizenship registration processes.

"Significant progress has been made in addressing statelessness in Bosnia and Herzegovina, with only 13 known cases currently recorded. Our advocacy efforts have led to legislative amendments, such as those in the Una-Sana Canton, ensuring state-funded free legal aid for stateless individuals. Since 2014, a total of 870 individuals have obtained necessary documentation with UNHCR's support," she noted.

Despite these advances, Gagné cautioned that gaps in legal frameworks and preventive mechanisms persist, requiring further action to ensure sustainable solutions and prevent new cases of statelessness.

In conclusion, she reiterated UNHCR’s commitment to supporting Bosnia and Herzegovina in addressing refugee protection, asylum, and statelessness issues, ensuring that displaced individuals receive the rights and support they need.