GOVERNMENT OF BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA PRIORITY RETURN 2001-2002 IN BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA Since the escalation of war conflict in Bosnia Herzegovina territory, thus, since 1992 more than 2,2 million people have been displaced from their homes, which makes over 50 % of local population. Out of that number, around 1,200,000 persons have requested for refugee protection out of Bosnia Herzegovina in more than 100 countries worldwide, and in the same time period around 1 million person have been internally displaced. This trend of displacement has been significantly reduced since Dayton Peace Accord was signed (DPA). During the time period from signing of Dayton Peace Accord (DPA) to the end of 2000, around 368,550 refugees returned from the recipient countries while at the same time around 214,000 BiH refugees changed the recipient country. The present picture of refugees status is presented by the data indicating that there is still around 617,000 refugees from Bosnia and Herzegovina in some 40 recipient countries. Out of this number, around 328,900 persons have regulated their status in the recipient countries, by citizenship relation or permanent residence permission, temporary residence, exile, work-legal status or some other legal way, while there are around 288,450 persons awaiting for permanent solution. Since the signing of DPA until December 31. 2000, a total of around 725,000 returns to BiH have been registered, out of which 370,000 returns of refugees and 355,338 returns of displaced persons. During 2000, 78,000 refugee and displaced persons returns has been made, that is, around 11% of total returns on the BiH territory during the period from DPA till the end of 2000. Percentage of returns on the FBiH territory is 56.86%, while this percentage for the RS territory is 43.14%. About 27% of total returns into BH consists of so called "minority returns". Out of the registered number of 195,166 of "minority returns", during the period from DPA to 31.12.2000, 139,367, or 71.4% was made at the FBiH territory, and 50,289, or 25.77% at the RS terr ritory. The current trend of "minority returns" on the FBiH territory is decreasing, while it is increasing on the RS territory. Different to the previous years, during 2000 a rather similar number of "minority returns" into FBiH (59.97%) and RS (40.86%) has been registered. All the returns to Br_ko district are, since the end of 2000, separately registered in amount of 8.17 %. The return of the exiled and displaced persons to their pre-war residences is conditioned by various factors, the most important of which are: Slow rehabilitation and reconstruction of the devastated housing stock and the accompanying network and public infrastructure, High percentage of unemployment caused by destruction of large economic subjects and slow privatization process, General economic instability in the area of return Such a picture of situation in the areas of return is additionally more complex due to the fact that the major part of the returnee population belongs to economically the most unproductive category of refugees, that is elder, incapable of work and unqualified persons. In that sense, it is necessary to focus future activities on promotion of as high as possible prosperity and trust in the areas of return, and their progressive integration into BiH economy, and encouraging private and public investments through creation of firm environment for investments, which emphasizes economic and financial stability in the areas of return. Political and economic reality in BiH still does not allow more massive return of refugees to their houses, so, the international help is still required with purpose of stabilizing the situation. In accordance with the Protocol on mutual cooperation in planning and accomplishing regional return priorities in 2001, signed by UNHCR, BiH Ministry for Human Rights and Refugees, FBiH Ministry of Social Policy, Refugees and Displaced Persons and RS Ministry for Refugees and Displaced Persons, in Banja Luka on 31. 01. 2001, rehabilitation of housing stock is necessary with total number of 15,952 buildings, for achievement of priority return of the refugees and displaced persons in BiH. In accordance with these defined requirements, activities for creating the Project of Return has been made, whose completion will allow rehabilitation of the total number of devastated houses. In regard to this, Ministry for Human Rights and Refugees has prepared a project of "Priority return into BiH" which will be implemented on the territory of both Entities, and Br_ko District representing the first phase of rehabilitation of total number of housing facilities, necessary to accomplish sustainable return on the BiH territory. This Project is encompassing rehabilitation of 4.762 housing facilities, whilst the reminder of the number of devastated houses will be rehabilitated through the creation and implementation of the other Projects of Return. The basic aim of the Project is to intensify the process of repatriation of the displaced persons and returns of refugees into the areas on the whole BiH territory, in 2001/2002, providing the basic conditions for safe and sustainable return. In the Project, requirements in the area of housing stock, network and public infrastructure are presented in form of segments for each micro-location, encompassed with this Project, where the refugees and displaces persons have voluntarily expressed their wish to return to pre-war residences. Apart from reconstruction of the housing stock, as a key pre-condition for accomplishment of return of refugees and displaced persons, the expressed need for reconstruction of facilities and parts of communications and public infrastructure also represent an important factor for creation of sustainable return and successful reintegration of the returnees. Project "Priority Return into BiH" is a multiethnic project and will be implemented on the entire BiH territory, that is, in 9 (nine) F BiH Cantons, and 6 (six) Republic of Srpska regions, and 3 (three) Br_ko District Zones. The basic principles during the designing of the Project are not based on return of minority single-nation returnee groups, but on the attempt of reconstruction of previous multiethnic and multinational picture of Bosnia and Herzegovina. With complete implementation of this Project, around 17.044 persons would return into their pre-war homes, with rehabilitation of 4.762 housing units with different degree of damage. For the accomplishment of this Project, it is necessary to provide financial funds in total amount of KM 137.640.850. With accomplishment of this Project, whose making was based on the creation of conditions for achievement of mutual returns into the pre-war homes, process of reconstruction, reconciliation, and economic cooperation will be supported, that is, consolidation of democracy, civil society and human rights in general. MEETING THE DONOR CONFERENCE IN DOHA, 15. MAY 2001 MINISTRY FOR REFUGEES AND DISPLACED PERSONS OF BIH MINISTRY OF HUMAN RIGHTS AND REFUGEES BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA