Amendments to the Law on Displaced Persons and Returnees in FBiH: Youth Would Be Enabled to Renovate and Build Ancestral Properties

(Patria) - The Government of the Federation of BiH, at the proposal of the Federal Ministry for Displaced Persons and Refugees, has determined the Bill on Amendments to the Law on Displaced Persons and Returnees in FBiH, and has sent it to the FBiH Parliament for adoption. The adoption of amendments to this law has been proposed through an expedited procedure, as it is not a complex or extensive law.

The proposer explained in the reasons for adopting the law that the amendments relate to the expansion of existing rights for the reconstruction and construction of housing units, as well as the terminological clarification of terms.

Particular emphasis has been placed on young returnee families, who would be enabled to renovate or build housing units of their ancestors who were forced to leave their property and did not renovate their housing, as well as to build new housing units in their place of return. The goal is to improve return, encourage young people to stay in BiH, and strengthen cooperation with the diaspora.

Thus, the proposed amendments define the expansion of existing rights for the reconstruction and construction of housing units to the category of young returnee families, direct descendants of owners from 1991, which is proven by a certificate of movement from the competent authority in the place of return.

Additional articles of the Law are prescribed, which more precisely define the terms of the place of return, displaced person, refugee, or returnee, as well as sustainable return, which are not regulated in detail in the existing text of the law. Also, the amendments stipulate that the types, scope, and criteria of sustainable return programs are determined by return, renovation, construction, and development plans adopted by the Government of the Federation of BiH.

It was explained that the Law on Displaced Persons and Returnees in FBiH was adopted back in 2005, and that it needs to be adapted to new circumstances, as the needs of returnees have significantly changed. In addition to the renovation and reconstruction of housing units, it is necessary to create conditions for the reintegration of returnees into the local community, with the aim of their economic self-sustainability and improvement of the quality of life. It was emphasized that this primarily applies to young, newly formed, multi-member returnee families, without whom there is no return in the true sense of the word.

Furthermore, one of the strategic goals of the Government of the Federation of BiH and the relevant federal ministry is to encourage cooperation with the diaspora, which is foreseen by the Strategy for Cooperation with the Diaspora of FBiH, and which needs to be included in this law.

It was also clarified that the implementation of the amendments to this law does not require additional budgetary funds, but rather the realization would be carried out through existing transfers from the Federal Ministry for Displaced Persons and Refugees, adapted to the new legal solutions, with the aim of ensuring continuous support for returnees.