Detention in Croatia

last update: August 2014

When caught crossing the border, migrants can be detained at the border for the maximum of 48 hours, in temporary detention facilities that exists close to the border.  

The detention center in Croatia is located in Ježevo, 30km east of the capital city of Zagreb. Officially it is called Prihvatni centar za strance. It is a closed detention center, which detains those who are awaiting deportation, those who are put into detention due to illegal residence, due to illegal work, or those asylum seekers, who have their freedom of movement limited for one of the reasons specified by the law on asylum. Maximum detention time is 3 months, with the possibility of further prolongation for another 3 months and two further prolongations each for 6 months. In practice, asylum seekers that seek asylum upon being detained in Ježevo, are often detained for a period of 3 to 6 months.

 The rules that apply to the detainee are specified available here in Croatian: http://narodne-novine.nn.hr/clanci/sluzbeni/2013_06_66_1312.html.

MEDICAL ASSISTANCE:

According to the rules of the detention center in Ježevo, medical assistance provided by a nurse is available to detainees from Monday to Friday between 8.00 and 12.00. The detainees also have the right to urgent medical assistance.

CONTACT WITH THE OUTSIDE:

• Telephone: Upon arrival to the detention center, the detainee has a right to one free call with the embassy or consular representation of his own country. In addition, the detainee has the right to one more free call in the duration of maximum 3 minutes. During the period of the detention, there is the possibility to use the phone booth in the center, at the detainee's own expense.

• Visits: The detainees have the right to a visit (maximum one hour, in the specially designated room), if it is announced one day in advance.

MONEY AND PERSONAL BELONGINGS:

Money and personal belongings (such as mobile phones, electronic gadgets, valuable items) are taken away from people for the duration of their imprisonment in Ježevo and returned at the end. However, if you have money upon your arrival, you are only allowed to access 300kn (around 40 euros) per week and with this money you can buy snacks or telephone cards in the small shop inside the detention center. Besides, if you have money upon your arrival, the center charges you 200kn for every day (around 26 euros) of your stay in the detention and the charges of the deportation.