Integration is a two-way process requiring effort from both the country and the individual
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By 2017, 567 people are expected to arrive and seek refuge. The Slovenian Minister of the Interior explained the integration process which, in her view, is not so new for Slovenia and she points out that today, Europe and consequently Slovenia are facing the greatest humanitarian challenge since the Second World War.
How does the integration process operate?
In May, in the context of relocation, the Republic of Slovenia accepted 28 citizens of Iraq and Syria from Greece, and six Eritreans from Italy. By September 2017, we will accept a further 567 persons and also 20 persons from third countries in accordance with the commitments given at the EU level. The final number is likely to be higher, but it depends on the current migration situation and final agreement on the number of displaced persons.
Persons with recognised refugee status have, in Slovenia, a permanent residence permit, which means that their stay here is unlimited. Persons granted subsidiary protection have a temporary residence permit in the Republic of Slovenia for the duration of protection. Persons with international protection are, after the acquisition of the status, immediately resettled from an asylum home to an integration house and are included in a starter, three-month orientation program which involves learning the basics of the Slovenian language, help with paperwork and practical knowledge of everyday life. Once the orientation program is completed, the individual will be included in the existing aid schemes, including the 300 hour program for learning the Slovenian language and knowing Slovenian society.
Integration is a two-way process that requires work and effort from both the country and the society, particularly by the various organisations and also by those with international protection. Slovenia has experience with integration as there are already slightly less than 300 persons with recognised international protection in Slovenia. We gained a lot of good experience in the 1990s when more than 60,000 people from the former Yugoslavia came to Slovenia.
Local animosity towards refugees sometimes brings threats. How does Slovenia deal with security?
The Ministry of the Interior is aware that the success of the integration process significantly affects the local environment. During the migratory wave, we were often faced with the concerns of the local population where the reception centers for the refugees are located. We have tried to explain to the locals that we understand their concern which is, however, unnecessary as has been also shown. To dilute the excessive concern, we regularly communicate about our actions in all the municipalities that are particularly impacted by the refugee problems and we strive to ensure an exchange of views and to coordinate positions. Nevertheless, the rise of intolerance and distrust towards the refugees in Slovenia is sometimes still, unfortunately, having an unwarranted dimension. The solution lies in creating a positive social climate, promoting mutual respect and tolerance, particularly with regard to the rule of law. In many municipalities, residents accept that migrants and refugees are an opportunity and not a threat. As an example of good practice, in the most recent period, we can highlight the municipality of Logatec and its inhabitants.
Migrants are forecast to contribute to GDP by about 0.25% by 2017 which implies a small, negative impact on GDP per capita throughout the period. The European Commission reports that migrants typically receive less in individual benefits than they contribute in taxes and social contributions. Is the refugee crisis also an opportunity for Europe's ageing continent which needs some extra vitality?
Recently, the whole of Europe and consequently Slovenia, have faced the greatest humanitarian challenge since the Second World War - the highest mass influx of migrants ever. Migrants have been forced to flee from war in order to save their own lives and the lives of their children. They want to live in peace, to educate, to work and allow their children a better and above all safe future. In doing so, we are obliged to help both governmental and non-governmental organisations and take particular care of the most vulnerable groups such as children and families. The main principle, which the Ministry is following, is to enable those who are eligible for international protection in Slovenia to begin to live an independent, full and equal life as soon as possible.
The Europol report states that in 2015, 211 terrorist attacks were prevented and more than 1,000 people were arrested within the EU. Attacks have not had a direct impact on Slovenia, but certainly they have had an indirect impact. How would you evaluate the situation in Slovenia?
Terrorism for the Slovenian police is not a new phenomenon since the fight against terrorism and terrorism-related offenses, has been a priority for many years. The level of a terrorist threat in Slovenia is low, however might change relatively quickly. Police constantly monitor the various security risks and implement measures for the timely detection and prevention of these particular events, including early detection of the violent radicalisation that leads to terrorism. All the security agencies in Slovenia and also foreign security forces work together on this
At the international level, Slovenia launched a series of initiatives for more efficient and above all faster operational cooperation; of the highest importance is a good cooperation among countries in the region. One of the most prominent examples of successful cooperation is the creation and development of the integrated and complementary approach in the fight against violent extremism and terrorism in the Western Balkans under the framework of the Brdo Process - the so-called WBCTi initiative.
In the area of counter-terrorism cooperation, Slovenian police are active with Europol on both the system as well as in the operational field. Particularly intense cooperation with Europol was established at the time of the migrant wave, when Slovenia provided daily updates about the interesting operational areas. In this time, Europol has executed intensive cooperation between Slovenia and certain countries. The Slovenian initiative to strengthen cooperation between the EU and the Western Balkans was realised in a way that Europol now has a network of counter-terrorism experts from the Western Balkans and become a member of the Slovenian initiative.
According to the Council of Europe, Slovenia's identification of victims, awareness and focus on other aspects, such as sexual exploitation is inadequate. In which areas could Slovenia pay more attention to the fight against human trafficking?
Human trafficking is a worldwide social problem and its extent transcends national borders. It is a multi-faceted issue where action to repress the trafficking is not enough, it needs prevention, protection of victims, training of professionals faced with the problem through their work, and importantly both international and regional cooperation. In the fight against human trafficking, Slovenia has been actively involved since 2001 with the creation of the Intergovernmental Working Group and the appointment of a national coordinator who regularly informs the Slovenian government. The 2015 report points out that there are key deficiencies in the training of those involved in the process of recognising incidence, the treatment of criminal matters and the administrative proceedings. Interpenetration of human trafficking with other areas such as migration issues, labour exploitation and forced labour and in particular of migrant workers, begging, forced marriage, unaccompanied children, etc., shows the need for a comprehensive and coordinated approach.
Based on the report on the Implementation of the Council of Europe Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings in Slovenia and the list of recommendations from GRETA, a manual has been created for the assistance and protection of victims of trafficking. It defines the concept of trafficking in human beings, the role and functions of state bodies, holders of public authority, public services, local bodies and non-governmental and humanitarian organisations in addressing human trafficking and provides the measures to assist and protect victims.