SCRM Staff in a Study Visit to the Netherlands

Field workers of the Commissariat for Refugees and Migration, namely ten of them, participated in a study visit to the Dutch instituions dealing with migration management from 22 – 26 October 2018.

In the course of the first day of the visit representatives of the International Organization for Migration in the Hague familiarized the Serbian counterparts with the Dutch asylum system, focusing on the Assisted Voluntary Return and Reintegration and labor markert integration of the permit holders. This was followed by a meeting devoted to the exchange of experience with the representatives of the Central Agency for the Reception of the Asylum Seekers (COA) on the issue of reintegration of the permit holders, and the duties of the Government and the municipalities, followed by a presentation on activities to promote integration in Dutch society and labour market participation.

Visit to the Diaconal Centre Pauluskerk was organized for the next day of the study visit. This Centre supports migrants without residence permit, as well as other vulnerable categories. Pauluskerk Refugeework supports them with legal advice, temporary shelter and medical help. Moreover, in cooperation with the IOM they also provide support with assisted voluntary return to their country of origin. In addition, there were talks held with the representatives of the Ministry of Justice and Security with regard to undocumented migrants in the Netherlands and their return to their countries of origin followed by tour in Detention Centre.

The third working day was dedicated to visit to Ter Apel, the biggest reception centre for migrants in the Netherlands. Meetings were held with the Aliens Police, Identification and People Trafficking Department (AVIM), the Immigration and Naturalization Service (IND), the Central Agency for the Reception of Asylum Seekers (COA), the Dutch Council for Refugees (VluchtelingenWerk), and the Repatriation and Departure Service (DT&V). Commissariat’s representatives were given the opportunity to tour the facilities and get acquainted with the accommodation conditions and processing of migrants.

During the last day of the visit the delegation also met with H. E. Petar Vico, Serbian Ambassador in the Netherlands. They discussed the migrations and experiences of the Commissariat’s staff.

The study visit was organized by the International Organization for Migration in the scope of the European Union Support to the Commissariat for Refugees and Migration.