UNHCR in Bosnia and Herzegovina will advocate for the EU progress reports to reflect UNHCR’s priorities and work with parliamentarians/legislators to raise their awareness on international obligations, to facilitate legislative changes. Public information activities will include the organization of press opportunities, targeting influential media, facilitation of media visits to document UNHCR’s activities; production of relevant print/digital information materials on UNHCR’s role and activities; analysis of the local media; interaction with journalists.
UNHCR will monitor functioning the of all aspects of the asylum system in Kosovo (S/RES/1244(1999)) and prepare regular reports presenting findings and recommendations for addressing shortcomings and identified gaps. These reports will serve as a tool for getting the attention of the Government and other actors, such as EASO. Therefore, regular media monitoring, specific contributions and interventions will be conducted and one roundtable with media will be organised.
The award for investigative journalism the field of asylum and migration will continue to be awarded in fYR of Macedonia to motivate journalists to get UNHCR perspective. Partnership with civil society organizations and local communities will be enhanced, including operational ones, in order to improve public perception of refugees and address some of the concerns identified through public opinion polls solicited in 2015 and 2016.
UNHCR Montenegro will monitor and analyse media and public opinion on asylum related issues. Five public events/advocacy interventions focusing on access to rights will be organized. This will include communication with media, workshop for journalists and participation in public debates. Cooperation with the offices in the region will be maintained and PI lines on refugee/ migrants crises will be jointly agreed. During the year, senior staff will give some 10 interviews on different aspects of asylum.
In Serbia, information will be shared on the situation to ensure positive attitudes of the general public towards refugees and asylum-seekers. UNHCR Serbia will continue ensuring that the refugee crisis and the asylum-related issues remain high on the agenda of national and international media by organizing regular media information-sharing events. Up to three specific media campaigns towards sensitizing the general population to the plight of refugees will be designed and launched. UNHCR will work in line with the global UN SG campaign called for in the NY Declaration, the campaign “Together – Respect, Safety and Dignity of All” will be localized. UNHCR Serbia will also ensure adequate visibility to durable solutions for the “Legacy” caseload, including the Regional Housing Programme, in particular by monitoring the implementation of all the subprojects and organizing public info and awareness raising activities with national counterparts, utilizing national and regional media tools developed for that purpose. Similarly, UNHCR Serbia will continue to ensure visibility of EU IPA funded and UNHCR implemented solutions for IDPs and promote the need for continued solutions. The ‘#iBelong’ campaign will be revitalised among the partners and, in particular, among the public and the media in Serbia.