The Agencies involved in the Property Law Implementation Plan (OHR, OSCE, UNHCR, UNMIBH and CRPC) announced that, with end of the school year and at the height of the return season, the summer months should be used to accelerate the process of the implementation of property laws in the way which will ensure sustained acceleration throughout the year.
4,706 repossessions took place during the month of May, which represents an increase of 2% in the property implementation rate as compared to that reached in April. Major progress was recorded in municipalities of Stolac (now with an implementation rate of 22%) and Vlasenica (with an implementation rate of over 24%). The overall Republika Srpska implementation rate, however, remains worse than that of any Canton in the Federation. In the Federation, only the municipalities of Mostar Central Zone, Glamoc, Kupres, Foca Federation have a worse rate than the overall Republika Srpska implementation rate of 17%. Furthermore, it is most regrettable that the budget of the RS Ministry for Refugees and Displaced Persons was cut by 80% at this crucial time when additional time when additional resources are urgently required for alternative accommodation.
The PLIP Agencies are also encouraged by recent statements by Mr. Ramiz Mehmedagic, Federation Minister for Urban Planning and the Environment, according to which 22,000 unclaimed flats in the Federation of BiH may now be used as alternative accommodation for evictees. The International Community awaits the undertaking of concrete action on this issue, in a transparent and appropriate manner, on the part of the relevant local authorities. Appropriate action on this issue is of particular urgency in Sarajevo Canton, where there are a large number of unclaimed apartments which could be used as much-needed alternative accommodation.