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The Government of the Republic of Serbia

In the service of citizens

Adoption of asylum law one of conditions for putting Serbia on white Schengen list

Belgrade, 7 November 2007

Secretary of the Serbian Ministry of Interior Milorad Todorovic stated that the Security Committee of Serbian parliament today unanimously made a decision to propose to parliament to adopt the Bill on asylum.

Presenting this bill, Todorovic said that it is important because the old law on movement and residence of foreigners is outdated and because its adoption is one of the conditions for putting Serbia on the white Schengen list.

He explained that this Bill is in line with the Serbian constitution and many international acts dealing with the asylums and added that it regulates situations in which foreigners can find themselves in Serbia and providing them assistance if some of their human rights are violated.

The Bill on asylum envisages formation of three bodies - the Office, Commission, and the Centre for asylum, Todorovic said and explained that the Office for asylum, which will be in charge of making first-instance decisions, will work as part of the Ministry of Interior.

The Commission for asylum is an independent body set up by the Serbian government and is in charge of passing second-instance decisions, while the Office for asylum will work as part of the Refugees Commissariat, and its basic function is providing board and lodging to asylum seekers.