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This research article aims to provide answers on how COVID-19 pandemics influenced migration law, policy responses, and practices in Croatia, particularly concerning migrants on the Western Balkan route. Throughout the EU, governments have reinstituted border controls in the Schengen region and any “nonessential travel” to the EU has been suspended. In this study, it is analyzed whether asylum seekers have been denied entry in violation of international refugee law and whether immigration officers held detainees because of the risks posed by COVID-19 alongside Croatian borders. In addition, the study addresses the question whether and to what degree the COVID-19 pandemic influenced the overall approach toward migrants and their access to services, primarily the right to health care. Also, it is researched whether facilities for migrants and asylum seekers have appropriate health care and whether the measures imposed by the Croatian Institute of Public Health and by the National Emergency Response Team are respected when dealing with migrants. In addition, it is researched whether the EU, UN, and WHO policies and recommendation concerning COVID-19 and migrants, where applicable, are respected in the Republic of Croatia and whether specific policies concerning migrants and COVID-19 were introduced. All legislation, policy responses, and practices will be critically approached and examined. The text will make proposals for implementation of best practices and policy responses for migrants in the context of COVID-19. All statistical data that are necessary for this research are requested from the Ministry of the Interior of the Republic of Croatia.

It has become apparent that problem areas and challenges for international criminal law go far beyond armed conflict (and their coverage, such as in the Statute of the International Criminal Court). The risks and dangers for humanity in the most diverse areas are capable of massively impairing people’s quality of life or even depriving them of their livelihood; thereby endangering peace, security, and global well-being. Of particular concern are serious economic (systematic and large-scale corruption) as well as environmental crimes. The development of a global regulatory framework in which criminal law is embedded to cover the most serious violations is therefore indispensable. This chapter, after recognising the shift in global politics, presents the viewpoint on how international, transnational, EU, and national criminal law should be reshaped and connected. Furthermore, the chapter proposes enforcement mechanisms to efficiently tackle the existing challenges. Prior to undertaking this project, the chapter provides an analysis of the existing norms.

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