ANNUAL REPORT OF NPM 2019 _______________________________________________________________________________________ IV. Centre of Asylum Seekers During the reporting period, the NPM visited the Centre for Asylum Seekers 3 times. The NPM has not received any complaints about physical ill-treatment or the behaviour of centre’s officials, including therein the security staff, which would be in violation of the dignity of asylum seekers, or in violation of their fundamental rights guaranteed under the Law on Asylum.79 The concerned law guarantees asylum seekers the following basic rights: The right of stay in the Republic of Kosovo, right to basic living conditions, health care, social assistance, free legal aid, education for children applicants, the right to freedom of thought and religious belief, the right to employment and the right to professional training. During the reporting period, there was an increase in the number of asylum seekers seeking asylum in the Republic of Kosovo. According to the directorate of Centre for Asylum Seekers, so far, 1642 asylum seekers have been registered, while in 2018 there were 594 registered asylum seekers. Accommodation conditions at the Centre for Asylum Seekers continue to be of a very good standard. There is also a child-friendly centre, playground and indoor playground at the centre. During this period, 23 unaccompanied children were admitted to the centre, the NPM has noted, during its visit, that requests to assign legal guardians have already been done. On 16th of December 2019, the Ombudsperson, accompanied by the Head of the UNHCR Office in Pristina, conducted a direct meeting with asylum seekers at the centre, whom he informed of OIK’s mandate and listened to their complaints and claims. With the purpose of facilitating communication and informing asylum seekers of the role and mandate of the Ombudsperson, leaflets in different languages were distributed to asylum seekers during the visit. Legal aid free of charge Free legal aid, as a fundamental right, continues to be provided by the NGO CRPK- (Civil Rights Program Kosovo). Whereas, besides the Ombudsperson, access is also guaranteed to international organizations such as: UNHCR, CPT, the International Red Cross, and local NGOs based on the agreement. 79 Law No. 06/L-026 On Asylum,Article 26. 33