In a report on Croatia published on Thursday 2 December, the Council of Europe revealed several testimonies of migrants seriously mistreated by the police. It calls on the Croatian authorities to investigate these allegations and deplores the lack of cooperation shown by the Croatian authorities during the visit of the experts of the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT) from 10 to 14 August.
The so-called “rapid reaction” visit focused particularly on the border area with Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Following written and public statements by a senior Croatian official questioning the report that concluded the visit and the integrity of the Council of Europe experts, the Committee decided to publish the text in full.
It includes several testimonies from migrants forced to walk barefoot through the forest and thrown, handcuffed, into the river that marks the border. Others claim to have been sent back to Bosnia and Herzegovina in their underwear and in some cases completely naked. Others say that after they were arrested and lying on the ground, Croatian police officers discharged their weapons next to them.
Recognising the great difficulties faced by Croatia in dealing with the considerable number of migrants entering its territory, the CPT stresses the need for a concerted European approach, but recalls that Croatia is bound to respect its human rights obligations and to treat migrants with humanity and dignity.
In conclusion, the experts reaffirmed their willingness to continue a “constructive dialogue” and “meaningful collaboration” with the Croatian authorities, based on the recognition of the seriousness of the allegations contained in the report and the need for a commitment to end them.
Link to the report: https://bit.ly/3prQLKy (Original version in French by Véronique Leblanc)