Background Briefing

Allow Refugees and Displaced Persons to Return Safely to their Homes

While most Kosovo Albanians displaced in the 1999 fighting have returned to their homes, Kosovo’s Serbs, Roma and other minorities displaced after June 1999 have been reluctant to return. Around 250,000 Serbs and other minorities have been displaced from Kosovo since 1999, many to Serbia in the north, others to the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM), Montenegro, and elsewhere in the region and beyond.

Few have returned voluntarily to their homes. Figures from the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) indicate that as of February 2008, 17,938 displaced persons had returned. In 2007, 1,756 voluntary returns were registered. At the same time, forced returns from Western Europe are ongoing, with around 2,000 people were forcibly returned in 2007.

For many displaced persons, security fears and concerns about free movement, access to employment, housing, education and other public services impede return. According to UNHCR, Serbs, Roma, and Albanians continue to risk persecution if returned to areas where they would be in a minority.  Attacks on those who do return, such as in the town of Klina during 2006, undermine the process. The stalemate over Kosovo’s status has created further uncertainty, and the risk of further displacement.

The occupation of land and property belonging to displaced persons is a major impediment to return. Disputes over occupied property often result in violent incidents, while cases brought to court are adjudicated extremely slowly because of the systemic inefficiencies of Kosovo’s criminal justice system. Personal documentation (such as Kosovo identity cards) can be difficult for displaced persons to obtain, especially for those who do not speak Albanian. Displaced persons also complain about excessively complicated and lengthy procedures to access support from international organizations, which discourages them from pursuing self-organized returns.

In order to overcome the current stagnation, the Kosovo authorities must work with the EU-led international mission, KFOR and UNHCR to tackle the root causes of displacement, ensure security and improve access to employment, housing and public services.  Those who attack returnees or otherwise disrupt returns should be brought to justice. Kosovo’s government must reach out to displaced and refugee Serbs and Roma, Ashkali and Egyptians, and cooperate with neighboring governments to promote their sustainable return. The authorities in Serbia also need to play a constructive role in encouraging the returns when the adequate conditions are created.

Recommendations:

  • Tackle the root causes of displacement: insecurity, impunity, and discrimination in access to social services.
  • Create conditions for safe, dignified, and sustainable voluntary return, including adequate housing and access to health and education services.