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Support for Human Rights Institutions |
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The Office of the High Representative seeks greater respect for human rights in BiH through support given to the Annex 6 and Annex 7 Institutions (as well as other human rights institutions) principally in three areas. First, by providing assistance in seeking implementation of decisions and recommendations; second, by working with the institutions in restructuring following the five year transitional period in Annex 6 and Annex 7; and third, by assisting in the co-ordination of the Institutions' funding requests and BiH budgetary commitments. The following is a brief description of each of the human rights institutions with which OHR works: The Office of the Human Rights Ombudsman of Bosnia and Herzegovina: receives complaints based upon an alleged violations of the European Convention on Human Rights, or discrimination coupled with any of the 14 Annexed agreements to Annex 6 of the GFAP. The Ombudsman, Mr. Frank Orton, a Swedish national, issues recommendations to authorities following a determination of a violation of any of the above. The Ombudsman normally requires that the applicants seek initially to resolve their complaints through state and entity authorities. More details are provided at their website:http://www.ohro.ba/ The Human Rights Chamber for Bosnia and Herzegovina is a judicial body composed of 14 members, 8 international and 6 national. The Chamber hears applications based on the same grounds as the BiH Ombudsman, but issues final and binding decisions. Further information about the Human Rights Chamber may be found at their temporary website, which will be transferred shortly into a permanent website:http://www.gwdg.de/~ujvr/hrch/hrch.htm The Commission for Real Property Claims of Displaced Persons and Refugees (CRPC), composed of three international and six national members, and is responsible for confirming real property rights for displaced persons and refugees. The CRPC is authorized to receive and decide claims for real property in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) where the property has not been voluntarily sold or otherwise transferred since April 1, 1992, in cases where the claimant does not now have possession of the property. The CRPC has the authority to make final and legally binding decisions on claims for real property and for occupancy rights, which must be respected in both entities of BiH. More information is available at: www.crpc.org.ba/ The Ombudsmen of the Federation of BiH, established under the Federation Constitution of 1994, are entrusted with the defense of human rights and freedoms within the Federation. They work, more specifically, for the removal of the effects of violations of these rights and freedoms, and particularly to remove the effects of ethnic cleansing. They are required to report regularly on the status of their efforts. These reports represent the most detailed picture available of human rights problems and progress within the Federation. More information may be found at: www.bihfedomb.org/ The Ombudsmen of Republika Srpska were established through legislation of the National Assembly of the Republika Srpska, adopted in February 2000. Their task is to receive claims regarding maladministration and violations of human rights. The Ombudmen were appointed in late April 2000, and anticipate being able to receive claimants in the fall of 2000. Information on implementation of Decisions
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