A/HRC/44/45/Add.1 place. When entering the country, asylum seekers and migrants encounter the border police, under the Police Directorate, who have received training on interviewing and identifying vulnerabilities, using related indicators and advising them on the asylum procedure. Migrants are brought to the registration centre in Spuz, where border police proceed to determine migrants identities and where and how they entered the country. That procedure includes the taking of fingerprints and photos and an assessment of their need for medical care. If an unaccompanied minor is identified, the centre for social welfare is contacted to appoint a carer. Although illegal entry in the country is punishable, according to the authorities, the border police conducting the interview first attempt to determine the reason for the irregular crossing. 33. According to the authorities, no cases of exploitation en route have been reported during interviews of migrants arriving at the registration centre, which include questions on when and how they entered the country and whether any smuggling was conducted. Officials agreed that the stay in the registration centre is not too long, sometimes only a matter of a few hours, and is insufficient for developing a relation of trust whereby migrants feel safe reporting human rights violations and indicators of trafficking in persons. Officials also reported the difficulties in establishing the narrative of migrants’ journeys, the veracity of the facts and stories shared and migrants’ true identities. At the registration centre, migrants can express their wish to claim asylum, in which case they are given a letter of intent and moved to the reception centre for asylum seekers, where they are given accommodations and have 15 days to apply for asylum. 34. Despite the low level of identifications among the migrant population, the Special Rapporteur noted that interviews of asylum seekers that wished to obtain refugee status in Montenegro by the officials responsible for asylum and protection could be a good opportunity to assess vulnerabilities to trafficking in persons. The collaboration of the asylum system and the system of protection envisaged for trafficked persons can add a layer of protection and ensure that appropriate measures are taken for those who in their journey are, or can become, victims of trafficking and exploitation. C. Protection of trafficked persons 35. Regarding assistance and support to victims, the Special Rapporteur noted that there are weaknesses to be addressed as a matter of priority. A licensing scheme for service providers of assistance for victims of violence and trafficking in persons was introduced in 2013 through national legislation. It is intended to ensure that those services providers comply with international standards, notably the Council of Europe Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence against Women and Domestic Violence. Such a policy, aimed at ensuring the professionalism of service providers, is welcomed, however, in practice, it resulted in the closure of specialized services, including shelters, for victims of trafficking. Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare officials assured the Special Rapporteur that the non-governmental organizations concerned had participated in the development of the legislation on licensing and the requirements were made known to them in advance to help them to meet the new licencing requirements. Training activities were also implemented. Minimum standards for service providers for a shelter for up to 10 users include a minimum of two employees, including, social workers, a psychologist and a lawyer. The Ministry is planning additional training to increase the capacity of service providers. 36. According to information received by the Special Rapporteur from the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare, there are four licensed shelters in the country. There is one for children, in Pljevlja, which is located next to an existing institution for children without parental care. One is for men and victims at high security risk, in Bljelo Polje in the north of the country. Two are for women, in Podgorica and Niksic. However, the latter two shelters, run by licensed non-governmental organizations, are currently only supporting domestic violence survivors, also as a consequence of the low number of identified potential victims of trafficking. The Special Rapporteur visited the two shelters and recognized the quality of the installations. She does not recommend any particular approach to the housing of victims of trafficking in persons and victims of gender-based violence in 8