The wave of migration from Kosovo in recent months has increased dramatically, but it is not something new. It lasts for more than two years. In 2012, 10,210 people from Kosovo sought asylum in the EU, and in 2013, twice as many, 20,215.
In recent weeks about a thousand up to fifteen hundred people cross Hungarian border, daily. It is difficult to say what in addition to the difficult economic situation and unemployment caused this sudden wave of migrations. People from Kosovo are crossing the border independently or in groups and are not afraid of the Hungarian police. When they are arrested, they request asylum and cannot be returned to Serbia until the end of asylum procedure. In this way, people are given the opportunity to continue their journey to Western European countries.
What Serbia needs to do in a situation where such a large number of people are passing its territory and illegally crossing the border?
Director of the Centre for the protection and assistance to asylum seekers Rados Djurovic said that Serbia is obliged to provide migrants from Kosovo full freedom of movement within its territory. “All those people who enter Serbia through Merdare on foot, by buses or private vehicles are entitled to it. Accordingly, they are entitled to stay in Vojvodina in hotels or to rent private houses. According to the law, Serbia is only obliged to control and prevent illegal crossing of the state border with Hungary,” he said.
