The latest statistics on property law implementation in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), which show that it is nearing its completion, were presented today in Sarajevo.

The Property Law Implementation agencies, which include the Office of the High Representative, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and the OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina, noted that as of 31 January 2004, the property law implementation ratio in the country reached 93 per cent. 

The three agencies said that local housing authorities had finalized 201,417 out of total of 216,904 property claims registered, and issued 99 per cent of the first-instance decisions. Out of this number almost 93 per cent were positive decisions.

A total of 61 municipalities have been verified as having substantially completed the implementation of the property laws to date, with a further 67 municipalities - which have completed all pending cases – having established concrete timetables to demonstrate their substantial completion of all legal obligations under the property laws in the near future. 

The Agencies pointed out that Tuzla, Donji Vakuf, Jajce, Zvornik, Banja Luka, Bijeljina, Doboj, Prnjavor, Mrkonjic Grad and Ribnik have not completed their property cases yet.  They have, however, demonstrated progress toward reaching their goals.

Although Sarajevo Cantonal Housing Department reported that it has resolved all property claims, the PLIP Agencies urge this body to reconcile discrepancies in its socially owned property statistics, thereby confirming that they have resolved their caseload.