The PLIP Agencies (OHR, OSCE, UNHCR, UNMIBH and CRPC) announced today that the overall implementation of the property laws in BiH has risen, as of 30 April, to 49%, or in other words out of 255’000 claims currently on file in municipal housing offices, 141’139 have been solved. Sixteen months ago, only 21% of claims had resulted in repossession. These latest figures show that progress is being achieved throughout BiH.
The PLIP Agencies however wish to draw attention to the fact that the 5% increase in the implementation rate in the RS, is to a large extent due to the decrease in the number of claims in RS, resulting from the continuing exclusion of claims filed for devastated property. Meanwhile, despite a continuing rise in claim figures, the Federation’s implementation rate has risen by 3% and that of the Brcko District by 4%.
OHR, OSCE, UNHCR, UNMIBH and CRPC wish to emphasize that the housing offices responsible for the processing property claims are performing a service that benefits the country as a whole, and are gravely concerned by continuing reports of threats against housing officials. The latest reports include repeated verbal harassment and threats, both in Zenica and in Glamoc. The local authorities, the local police forces and society at large must do more to ensure that officials are protected and the work of the housing offices is supported and recognized.