Media workshop “Reporting on Mixed Migration” held in Sarajevo 20 May 2022

The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) organized a workshop for media representatives, “Mixed Migration in the Media,” on May 20 in Sarajevo and took the opportunity to share the latest information on the refugee situation in Ukraine. Focus was particularly given to the proper use of terminology in reporting on migration and refugees.

During the workshop, the BiH Ministry of Security presented its work on migration and asylum management. At the same time, the Ministry of Human Rights and Refugees shared its responsibilities in working with persons under international protection in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

“UNHCR has been present in Bosnia and Herzegovina for 30 years (since 1992) and has excellent cooperation with government institutions, primarily with the Ministry of Security in supporting the improvement of the efficiency and quality of the asylum process and the Ministry of Human Rights and Refugees, in enhancing the integration prospects for persons under legal protection in BiH,” said Giovanni Monge Rojas, UNHCR Head of Operations Unit in BiH.

“The BiH Ministry of Security, together with the Service for Foreigners Affairs and the Border Police, have taken significant steps towards the migration situation. This particularly refers to the improvement of accommodation and other living conditions for migrants, refugees, and asylum seekers in BiH. The current challenges, for the Ministry of Security of BiH, is providing capacity building to the staff and staff  to ensure that competent agencies can efficiently manage migration in our country,“said Admir Malagić, Spokesperson of the BiH Ministry of Security.

“The Ministry of Human Rights and Refugees and the UNHCR, through joint efforts and long-term cooperation, will continue to work to ensure that persons with international protection status have the  easy and safe access to their rights and integrate into BiH society adequately,” said Dragana Bojović, Head of the Department for Refugees, Displaced Persons, Readmission and Housing Policy of the BiH Ministry for Human Rights and Refugees.

During today’s event, it was stressed that hate speech against refugees, asylum seekers and migrants is unfortunately common, which is most often manifested by portraying the migrants, refugees and asylum seekers as a security threat.

The role of the media in preventing hate speech is crucial as through professional, ethical and objective reporting, the media can influence the public opinion on mixed migration situation.