Statement
by
H.E. Mr. Vladimir Drobnjak
Permanent Representative of the Republic of Croatia to the United Nations
General Assembly Fifty-eighth Session
Third Committee
Item 100
Report of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, questions relating to refugees, returnees and displaced persons and humanitarian questions
10 November 2004
Mr. Chairperson,
Croatia has aligned itself with the EU statement, but I would like to add a few points based on Croatia´s specific experience on the matter.
At the outset, allow me, on behalf of my delegation, to thank the High Commissioner for Refugees, Mr. Lubbers, for his perceptive statement and a comprehensive report.
In this regard, the delegation of the Republic of Croatia welcomes the efforts of his Office in building and reinforcing strategies and activities for a more effective and efficient transition from humanitarian assistance to sustainable development for returnees, and fully supports measures proposed to foster international collaboration in order to raise the profile of refugees on the agenda of the United Nations.
The year 2004 marks the 20th anniversary of the Cartagena Declaration on Refugees. As this pragmatic and flexible instrument continues to encourage the protection of refugees in the region and the cooperation of states in the elaboration of a regional plan of action to strengthen further international protection of refugees, Croatia marks yet another year in placing high on its agenda the process of establishing sustainable conditions and harmonious reintegration of all refugees, including IDP´s into the areas of their previous settlements.
The Government of the Republic of Croatia has shown continuity and good will, as well as concrete steps for the implementation of Croatia´s commitments and obligations related to the return process, not only in Croatia, but in the region as well.
Mr. Chairperson,
On 31 December 2003, all three UNHCR field offices in Croatia ceased their activities and closed, thus ending 12 years of direct field presence and bearing witness that Croatia has come a long way. Croatia uses this opportunity to express its gratitude to the tireless work of UNHCR in the field and for all valuable assistance provided.
In 2003, after five years of preparation, and with a number of UNHCR´s views and concerns having been taken into consideration, the Croatian Parliament adopted the Law on Asylum, which entered into force on 1 July 2004.
The Law on Foreigners, which deals with some elements of complementary protection, entered into force on 1 January 2004. These two laws and their related laws will create the basis for the asylum procedure to be implemented in line with the 1951 Convention on the Status of Refugees, EU Aquis ad international refugee standards.
Since the beginning of the year, the Government has brought a series of measures for the acceleration of the repossession of property and other programs related to the return of refugees. Inter alia, in March 2004, the Government established the Commission for the Return of Displaced Persons and Refugees and Repossession of Property, entrusted with supervision of the implementation of the process of return and repossession of property. The progress was particularly visible in the acceleration of repossession of property and related activities.
Furthermore, a media-campaign on a housing program for ex-tenancy rights holders was launched at the end of 2003 and was continued this year. It was expanded abroad to Serbia and Montenegro and Bosnia and Herzegovina, where a significant number of refugees from Croatia reside and who are potential beneficiaries of the program. At the beginning of May 2004, the Memorandum on Cooperation was signed between the Ministry of the Sea, Tourism, Transport and Development and UNHCR on their assistance in the implementation of the media campaign and collection of applications abroad.
The Government of Croatia actively participates in UNHCR educational and training programs. UNHCR cooperation with academic institutions, primarily the Faculty of Law in Zagreb and the Police Academy is aiming to gradually introduce refugee/migration issues in their curricula.
Also, the Croatian government and border officials are involved in country-wide training workshops, focusing on the role of UNHCR and its mandate, the principle of non-refoulement, access to asylum procedures, and cooperation with NGOs.
Mr. Chairperson,
These and many other measures not mentioned here have resulted in considerable progress in the return process, which has been reflected in numerical data in recent years. To date, more than 320,000 refugees have returned to Croatia; there are 14,000 repossessed property units and a total of 128,000 reconstructed houses and apartments. The Croatian Government has so far spent over 4.5 billion USD to alleviate the plight of refugees and displaced persons.
Finally, the Government of the Republic of Croatia looks forward to continuing to strengthen the cooperation with the UNHCR, as well as coordination with other international partners in the region, in order to reach sustainable results in the years to come.
Thank you.
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