Reconstruction and Return Task Force

According to the Dayton Peace Agreement, each citizen of Bosnia and Herzegovina shall be provided with the effective right to choose in a free and informed manner his/her place of residence within the country.

Reconstruction and Return Task Force The Reconstruction and Return Task Force (RRTF) is a body that coordinates the international support for the process of the return of refugees and displaced persons to and within Bosnia and Herzegovina. The RRTF derives its mandate from the Peace Implementation Conferences held in London (1996) and in Bonn (1997), and from the desire of the Peace Implementation Council (PIC) members to create an integrated approach to reconstruction and return. The PIC Steering Board, at its PIC Council meeting in Sintra (1997), gave the RRTF a special role in coordinating return related conditionality. The RRTF consists of the Office of the Deputy High Representative, the RRTF Board, the Central Secretariat, Regional RRTFs and Local RRTFs. At the highest level it is a "club", which provides its members - OHR, UNHCR, CRPC, SFOR, EC, ECHO, World Bank, UNMIBH, OSCE, UNDP, IMG, IOM and the US and German Governments - with a forum in which they can develop policy, share problems and find solutions. At the field level it is a coordination mechanism to bring all relevant actors - whether members or not - together. The tasks of the RRTF include policy and resource allocation guidance aimed at ensuring successful and sustainable return and reintegration of refugees and displaced persons into Bosnia and Herzegovina under Annex 7 of the General Framework Agreement for Peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

RRTF Reports: April 1997 July 1997 December 1997 March 1998 1999 RRTF Action Plan, December 1998 Sarajevo Declaration Quarterly Implementation Review 1st Q: May 6, 1998 2nd Q: August 11, 1998 3rd Q: December 12, 1998 Other Documents: Sarajevo Return Conference February 3, 1998 Speech by the High Representative, Mr. Carlos Westendorp Sarajevo Declaration Regional Return Conference April 28, 1998 Chairmen's Concluding Statement Joint Statement from Travnik Round Table 15 February, 1999 Code of Practice for Reconstruction and Repair

Particular Tasks In particular, the RRTF: Provides policy and resource allocation guidance, including the use of positive linkages and recommends actions in support of sustainable returns; Functions as a focal point for relevant information sharing including location of available databases, links for general information and publications; Mobilizes national and international political and material support as required; Monitors implementation of recommendations and conclusions from relevant conferences and meetings, and prepares periodic reports for the High Representative, RRTF members and the international community; and Operates the Central Secretariat to support and coordinate the work of all the members and provide administrative oversight of the RRTF. An Action Plan for 1999 was prepared by the OHR-chaired RRTF and endorsed by the Madrid Peace Implementation Conference of 15-16 December 1998. Offering a comprehensive framework for effective donor assistance and inter-agency coordination to support the return of refugees and displaced persons in Bosnia and Herzegovina, its principles remain in place for the work of the RRTF in 2000. These are: Targeting based on priority axes and "demand analysis" Support for movements as they occur, thus "following the flow" Incorporating return to vacant/vacated space in each axis to "unblock" the housing situation Maximising secondary and tertiary return flows by management / monitoring of property vacated as a result of return Leveraging political and economic resources and legislative expertise in support of return Catalysing voluntary movements by provision of appropriate information through a targeted information campaign Preventing hostile relocation and, at least for now, avoid international endorsement of and support for any form of relocation Supporting sustainable returns The primary conditions for minority returns, outlined in the RRTF Action Plan 1999 remain: Space: most habitable accommodation in Bosnia and Herzegovina is presently occupied (legally or illegally) and achieving substantial returns depend on generating vacant housing space - via reconstruction - and resolving property disputes related to occupied apartments and houses. Security: individual security remains a factor in displaced persons' decisions on whether to return to areas where they would be in the minority. Sustainability: in order to make it possible for returnees to build a future in their home areas, it is necessary to focus on their access to employment, education, health, and social services and their representation in local government structures.

RRTF Priorities in 2000: Implementation of Property Legislation: The amendments imposed by the High Representative in October 1999 have put in place a uniform legal structure across both entities with regard to the repossession of property and the Property Legislation Implementation Plan (PLIP) presents a key instrument for achieving progress in minority return. Spontaneous Returns: The momentum of spontaneous returns witnessed in 1999 is likely to continue in 2000. Among other support mechanisms, flexible funding, so that assistance is timely and adequate, will be important to create an environment for spontaneous returns. Sustainability: Return sustainability is about creating the right social conditions for returnees. It includes access to employment, health, education and basic services. The particular focus will be on creating economic opportunities for returnees e.g. small SME (Small and Medium Enterprise) credits. Regional Returns: Since more than half the current number of refugees from BiH are presently residing in Croatia and FRY and, in turn, a substantial number of refugees from Croatia and FRY are still living in BiH any progress will require a two-way solution. The new political structure in Croatia could resolve the deadlock and eliminate the existing obstructions. Overarching these four priorities is the concept of transfer of "ownership" to the authorities of BiH and the need to encourage the country to take the initiative to resolve its own problems, and the need for greater engagement of local players in return planning and implementation.

Other info of interest

Office of the High Representative          Reconstruction and Return Task Force