1. Jovan Andonovski, PhD, Deputy Ombudsman Republic of Macedonia
Challenges and good practices for transit countries in protecting unaccompanied children
Jovan Andonovski, PhD, Deputy Ombudsman
Republic of Macedonia

2. New trend of migration
Macedonia is a transit country – migrants/refugees do not intent to seek asylum and stay in the country Data In 2014, 86 UASC (unaccompanied and separated children) were registered by MoI and guardian was appointed by MoLSP In 2015, nearly UASC were registered by MoI (at one point during the year 11,072 people were registered in one day) 91 guardian was appointed by MoLSP In 2016, January to March, 228 UASC were registered by MoI 18 guardian was appointed by MoLSP

3. Legislation and regulations
Amendment of the Asylum Law in July 2015
Standard Operating procedures (SOP) for UASC in December 2015
Other SOPs:
SOP for vulnerable foreigners
SOP gender based violence

4. Standard Operating Procedures for UASC
SOP 1: IDENTIFICATION AND REFERRAL
MEASURE 1: Initial contact with the UASC and his or her referral
MEASURE 2: Preliminary information gathering
MEASURE 3: Identification of the UASC
MEASURE 4: Appointing a guardian
MEASURE 5: Providing an interpreter - interpretation
MEASURE 6: Authorising a legal representative
MEASURE 7: Interviewing an UASC
SOP 2: CARE AND INITIAL ASSISTANCE
MEASURE 1: Appointing a guardian
MEASURE 2: Initial risk assessment
MEASURE 3: Initial medical examination
MEASURE 4: Providing care and accommodation
MEASURE 5: Needs assessment

5. Standard Operating Procedures for UASC
SOP 3: REGULATING THE STAY
MEASURE 1: Notifying the MFA
MEASURE 2: Legal counselling and informing the UASC about the procedure for regulating his/her stay
MEASURE 3: Procedures for regulating the stay of the UASC
SOP 4: FAMILY REUNIFICATION – RETURN
MEASURE 1: Family identification
MEASURE 2: Risk assessment in case of deciding to have a family reunification
MEASURE 3: Locating the family and informing them
MEASURE 4: Preparations for the return or the family reunification
MEASURE 5: Return/hand-over

6. Standard Operating Procedures for UASC
SOP 5: LOCAL INTEGRATION – LONGTERM ASSISTANCE
MEASURE 1: Long-term assistance plan
MEASURE 2: Guardianship
MEASURE 3: Providing care and accommodation
MEASURE 4: Healthcare
MEASURE 5: Education
SOP 6: CRIMINAL PROCEDURE
MEASURE 1: Protection of UASC’s rights if s/he is a defendant
MEASURE 2: Protection of UASC’s rights if s/he is a witness
MEASURE 3: Protection of UASC’s rights if s/he is a victim/witness

7. Current situation
Transit Center Vinojug (near border with Greece) 1 separated child (with relatives)
Transit Center Tabanovce (near border with Serbia) no UASC
Safe House two (2) UAC
Guardian appointed for both case
Case 1: the best interest assessment is being conducted
Case 2: integration process is ongoing for a 16 years-old girl from Nigeria

8. Best interest determination (BID)/long-term options
Return to the country of origin
Local integration
Resettlement in a third country

9. Return to the country of origin
Centre for Social Work, IOM, Red Cross key actors
In progress: development of special programme and procedure for voluntary repatriation that defines all steps needed – based on the BID

10. Local Integration
Key actors: CSW, Centre for integration; Local self-government; Employment agency
Strategy for integration of refugees and foreigners
Centre for integration of foreigners established in 2009
Draft version of new Strategy
Relevant laws are amended or are in process of revision to incorporate new provisions related to integration

11. Resettlement in a third country
Key actors: MoI, MoLSP, Red Cross, IOM, UNHCR
In practice - only used in cases of family reunification

12. Challenges Language, cultural differences
Lack of documentation for voluntary repatriation and for third country resettlement
Third country cooperation level
Capacity of the local institutions
Lack of interest of the local government (fear of unknown)
Lack of documentation needed for local integration (level of education, diploma etc)

13. THANK YOU!