OSCE Mission saddened by death of Croatian Serb returnee who lived in a tent

ZAGREB, 26 January 2004 - The OSCE Mission to Croatia is saddened to learn about the death of 67 year old Croatian Serb returnee Gojko Jasnic from Zimic, Karlovac. His case was one of many referred to the OSCE Mission.

The case of Mr. Jasnic began in August 1995 when he left Croatia during the war. He returned in 1999 to a destroyed house. Unable to obtain government assistance for the reconstruction of his house on a technicality, he lived in a UNHCR tent next to the ruins of his house. The Mission was instrumental in bringing his case to the attention of the authorities for resolution.

 Head of Mission Ambassador Peter Semneby commented that Mr. Jasnic's case was an example of the kinds of bureaucratic and administrative obstacles that returnees face.

 "Gojko Jasnic's story is tragic in that a person lived in a tent for three years. It should be possible to resolve such cases quickly to avoid people having to spend a very long time living under conditions that are absolutely unacceptable," Ambassador Semneby added.

"I hope that the new Government's commitment to refugee return will be followed by action in order to quickly resolve all remaining cases like this," he concluded.

The OSCE Mission to Croatia and its international partners have long urged the Government and all political forces in Croatia to make a strong public commitment to refugee return.

Gojko Jasnic passed away from ill health.