OSCE Croatia Mission supports refugee return pledge at Sarajevo Summit

ZAGREB, 17 July 2002 - The OSCE Mission to Croatia is encouraged by the joint statement made in Sarajevo Monday by the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Presidents of the Republic of Croatia and of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and strongly supports their commitment to create conditions for the return of all refugees and displaced persons.

The Mission is also encouraged by their pledge to initiate co-ordination at all levels towards an organized and smooth process of sustainable return. In that context, the OSCE Mission urges the Government of Croatia to make a stronger commitment to refugee return.

A comprehensive legal approach to property repossession in accordance with constitutional and international legal and human rights standards should be followed by the Croatian Government. Remedies should inter alia be provided as soon as possible for terminated occupancy/tenancy rights valid for the territory of the entire country.

In addition, the Government should ensure that the new Constitutional Law on National Minorities is seen as legitimate and useful by the minorities themselves.

The fulfillment of these commitments will greatly contribute to Croatia's efforts in its path to European integration.