Migrants Face Harsh Realities and Alleged Abuse at EU's Bosnian Border

Bihac, Bosnia and Herzegovina – Hope dwindles for thousands of migrants and refugees stranded in the unassuming border town of Bihac, as the European Union prepares to overhaul its asylum system. Hailing from diverse nations including Afghanistan, Egypt, Morocco, Pakistan, Syria, and Sudan, their shared aspiration of reaching EU soil is met with formidable challenges and alleged human rights abuses. All last names have been withheld to protect the identities of migrants during their asylum processes. Some first names have been changed on request.

The Crossroads of Hope: Bihac and the EU Border Pushbacks

Situated near the Croatian border, Bihac serves as a temporary, often desperate, waypoint for those seeking refuge in Europe. As the EU works to revise its asylum framework in 2026, migrants find their paths to safety increasingly obstructed.

Bosnia and Herzegovina is not an EU member, unlike its neighbor Croatia, making the journey across the border a critical, yet fraught, step for asylum seekers.

Allegations of Illegal Pushbacks and Violence

Under the rugged cover of the Balkans, migrants report being violently returned to Bosnia by Croatian authorities, a practice widely condemned by rights groups as an illegal pushback. International law dictates that anyone arriving at a border has the right to request asylum, yet migrants in Bihac claim this opportunity is consistently denied.

Numerous testimonies from migrants repeatedly recount instances of physical assault and robbery by Croatian authorities, with individuals forcibly sent back across the border, often bruised, stripped of their phones and winter clothing, and compelled to restart their arduous journey.

Personal Testimonies of Hardship

Among those stranded is Hamid, a 54-year-old from Morocco, who expresses deep regret, stating, "Everyone here has a story. People tell me my life should be a movie." His goal is to reach his son, Ilyas, in France, but his journey is hampered by a permanent knee disability.

Hamid alleges that two years ago, Bosnian police beat him and fractured his knee after he intervened in an attack on another migrant. Stranded in Bihac for four years, he has been sleeping in parks and abandoned buildings, largely isolated, as he plans his next attempt to reach Europe.

Perilous Journeys and Missing Migrants

The journey on foot from Bosnia to Croatia is fraught with peril, involving treacherous crossings of icy rivers and snow-capped peaks. Most attempts prove unsuccessful, with migrants frequently returning to Bihac after five or six failed crossings. Tragically, some never return, lost to the Una and Sava rivers or fatal encounters with Croatian authorities.

In 2025, at least 22 migrants were reported missing along the Western Balkans route, a figure likely to be a significant undercount due to challenges in reporting and tracking individuals.

In February 2026, Abdul, a 29-year-old from Pakistan, discovered the body of a fellow Pakistani migrant in the Croatian woods while attempting to cross. After being apprehended 100km past the border three days later and forcibly returned to Bosnia, Abdul reported being held for 24 hours, beaten, denied food and bathroom access, and robbed of his money by Croatian police.

Intensifying Abuses Amidst EU Policy Shifts

Bihac has become a microcosm reflecting global geopolitical shifts, with the demographics of migrants changing from predominantly Syrians during their civil war to Afghans following the Taliban's resurgence. Reported pushbacks continue to intensify, coinciding with the EU's planned implementation of the New Migration Pact in June 2026, which is expected to expedite denials and deportations while increasing biometric surveillance of migrants.

Croatian border guards have a documented history of alleged violence against asylum seekers. In December, three Sudanese men found near the border were hospitalized with severe frostbite, leading to leg amputations for all three. Bosnian police have initiated an investigation into the incident.

Nabil, a 26-year-old from Morocco's Atlas Mountains, has attempted to cross the border five times, each ending in apprehension by Croatian guards equipped with drones. He recounts being beaten with police batons, having personal items confiscated, and his phone deliberately smashed before being returned to the Bosnian woods. The accompanying photograph illustrates alleged injuries from encounters with border guards.

Mohammed, a 14-year-old boy from Cairo traveling alone, shares a similar account. After his family exhausted their savings for his journey from Libya to Turkiye and then Bosnia, he was caught by Croatian border guards, who allegedly assaulted him with batons and stole his sneakers, forcing him to walk barefoot through deep snow.

Life in Temporary Reception Centres and Beyond

Across Bosnia, Temporary Reception Centres (TRCs) are established for migrants, yet their "temporary" nature is often prolonged, and conditions are frequently criticized. Migrants report poor food, inadequate provisions, and prison-like environments, leading many to prefer rough sleeping or self-organized squats.

The Lipa camp, located 20km outside Bihac, is a key example, criticized for its isolation and lack of public transport, forcing residents to walk four hours to reach town for resources. Hassan, a 17-year-old Palestinian from Jerusalem staying at Lipa with his family, details how Croatian police stole their phones and assaulted his brothers. His family has attempted to cross seven or eight times, facing pushbacks each instance.

The situation in these camps is expected to worsen with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) withdrawing its support this year, transferring responsibility to Bosnian authorities. Rights groups warn that Bosnian officials are unprepared to manage the influx and the welfare of migrants.

Local Support and Shifting Sentiments

Despite the challenges, several grassroots organizations operate in Bihac, providing crucial humanitarian assistance. An activist from No Name Kitchen, who requested anonymity due to concerns about the criminalization of migration work, notes, "People come to us in flip flops without jackets in freezing temperatures," highlighting the desperate need for aid such as warm clothing. She describes Bosnia as having become "Europe's dumping ground for migrants."

While initial goodwill from Bihac residents has waned, replaced by frustration at EU inaction, migrants largely speak positively of the Bosnian people, who often offer rides and clothing to those forcibly returned from the border. Yaseen, a 21-year-old from Tunisia, recounts being beaten in the head by Croatian guards to the point of concussion, remarking on the kindness of Bosnians in stark contrast to his experiences with Croatian authorities.

The Unyielding Quest for Safety

Undeterred by previous failures and injuries, many migrants plan to attempt another crossing soon, either on foot through the mountains or by concealing themselves in trucks. Hamid, the injured Moroccan man, recently made another solitary attempt through the mountains but slipped on ice, sustaining a sprained ankle. Now immobilized and sleeping in a crawlspace, he stoically accepts his fate: "Everyone has their life; this is my life. What can I do?"

Key Takeaways

  • Thousands of migrants and refugees are stranded in Bihac, Bosnia, near the Croatian (EU) border, seeking asylum in Europe.
  • Rights groups allege Croatian authorities are conducting illegal pushbacks, involving violence, robbery, and denial of asylum rights.
  • Personal testimonies from individuals like Hamid, Abdul, Nabil, and Mohammed detail severe injuries, theft, and repeated attempts to cross.
  • The EU's upcoming New Migration Pact in June 2026 is expected to exacerbate challenges, potentially leading to faster deportations and increased surveillance.
  • Conditions in Temporary Reception Centres are often poor, with migrants sometimes preferring rough sleeping; the IOM's withdrawal this year raises concerns about future welfare.
  • Grassroots organizations provide vital humanitarian aid, while local sentiment in Bihac reflects frustration at the EU's handling of the crisis.
Olley News Insight: The struggle faced by migrants in Bihac highlights the complex interplay between national sovereignty, international human rights law, and the humanitarian crisis at Europe's borders. As the EU overhauls its asylum system, the human cost of these policies continues to grow, leaving vulnerable individuals in a desperate limbo. Bosnia, still recovering from its own war, finds itself an unwilling buffer in this unfolding drama.