NMN in 2025: Significantly strengthened field presence and almost weekly monitoring
During 2025, the Independent Monitoring Mechanism (IMM) achieved an exceptionally intensive and continuous field presence, representing a significant step forward and a noticeable increase in the scope of work compared to 2024. IMM monitors were engaged in monitoring missions almost every week, thereby establishing a stable and recognizable rhythm of oversight at the national level.
In total, 47 monitoring missions were carried out, within which 201 monitoring operations were conducted across the Republic of Croatia. The monitoring activities covered the green border as well as the blue and air borders, further expanding the scope of IMM’s activities compared to the previous period. Monitoring activities were conducted almost exclusively without prior announcement, i.e. without the Ministry of the Interior (MoI) being informed in advance of the timing or locations of the monitoring missions and/or operations. The only exception to the rule of unannounced monitoring concerns airport police stations, which, due to specific security and logistical restrictions, cannot be visited without prior notice.
Monitoring missions as a rule included oversight at a minimum of three different types of locations per mission, including police stations, border crossing points, maritime areas or airports, reception centres for foreigners, and observations of the green border. During 2025, IMM observers covered a total of 101 different locations, carried out 48 unannounced observations of the green border, and conducted 52 interviews with migrants. Interviews with migrants were conducted on a regular basis, in strict compliance with the principles of informed consent and the do-no-harm principle.
The achieved results confirm that in 2025 the IMM conducted a methodologically grounded, operationally sustainable, and systematic monitoring of the conduct of MoI police officers towards migrants. The significantly increased intensity of field work enabled continuous monitoring of police practices, the timely issuance of recommendations to the MoI, and the further strengthening of the protection of migrants’ fundamental rights in the context of border protection, the prevention of irregular migration, and access to international protection.
In total, 47 monitoring missions were carried out, within which 201 monitoring operations were conducted across the Republic of Croatia. The monitoring activities covered the green border as well as the blue and air borders, further expanding the scope of IMM’s activities compared to the previous period. Monitoring activities were conducted almost exclusively without prior announcement, i.e. without the Ministry of the Interior (MoI) being informed in advance of the timing or locations of the monitoring missions and/or operations. The only exception to the rule of unannounced monitoring concerns airport police stations, which, due to specific security and logistical restrictions, cannot be visited without prior notice.
Monitoring missions as a rule included oversight at a minimum of three different types of locations per mission, including police stations, border crossing points, maritime areas or airports, reception centres for foreigners, and observations of the green border. During 2025, IMM observers covered a total of 101 different locations, carried out 48 unannounced observations of the green border, and conducted 52 interviews with migrants. Interviews with migrants were conducted on a regular basis, in strict compliance with the principles of informed consent and the do-no-harm principle.
The achieved results confirm that in 2025 the IMM conducted a methodologically grounded, operationally sustainable, and systematic monitoring of the conduct of MoI police officers towards migrants. The significantly increased intensity of field work enabled continuous monitoring of police practices, the timely issuance of recommendations to the MoI, and the further strengthening of the protection of migrants’ fundamental rights in the context of border protection, the prevention of irregular migration, and access to international protection.