NATIONS UNIES UNITED NATIONS Mission United Nations Interim d’Administration Administration Mission Intérimaire des Nations In Kosovo Field Operations Unit Returns Section Unies au Kosovo Field Operations Unit Consolidated Report on Communities and Returns Weekly Report 6 – 12 May 2006 PRISHTINË/PRIŠTINA REGION Representatives of CCK meet with UNMIK Prishtine/Pristina to discuss IIDP social housing options RCRU Meetings On 11 May, the MR of Prishtinë/Priština Municipality called for the meeting to address concerns of the Serbian urban returnee Zoran Stanisic. After about nine months after his initial return to Pristine/Pristina town, Mr Stanisic unsuccessfully was seeking financial assistance to help him to restart his business activities in the town. He had faced number of problems including couple of lootings, outstanding bills, and lack of possibilities to work. The participants, agreeing that provision of funds for Mr Stanisic’s business project shall not be expected any time soon, they provided their respective suggestions on addressing the moist relevant problems: Municipality would take care of verifying all issues related to tax payments, DCA representative ensured liaison with Department of Justice (in order to speed up the processing of the case against occupants of Mr Stanisic property, responsible for its damage), FOU took responsibility of dealings with the utility companies, OCRM declared assistance in exploring employment options within PTK or KEK. The MR emphasized that the lawsuit case progress remains the most crucial one, in the first place providing the proof whether or not there is Rule of Law in Kosovo, secondly potential compensation would allow Mr Stanisic to repair the damages to his business property and help him restart his company. On 12 May the CCK convened the meeting in Gracanica with participation of UNMIK and MCO representatives from Pristine/Pristina Municipality, to discuss proposal of constructing 70 houses in area Novi Badovac in Graçanicë/Gračanica. The buildings are intended to house IIDPs from Graçanicë/Gračanica area. The Representative of CCK highlighted that there is continuous problem of approximately 15.000 IIDPs Kosovo-wide – displaced both after 1999 and March 2004, and hesitating about their returns to the place of origin after finding safe haven in area of Graçanicë/Gračanica. 70 hoses in Badovac would be a temporary solution until the conditions are met and they could return to their original homes. The CCFK already secured funds of one million Euro and now seeks assistance from the Munici0alitiy to obt6ain all necessary permits (including allocation of the land in Novi Badovac). The LCO welcomed the idea of the project and emphasized that with similar principles the MCOP developed a project of Social Housing buildings with 80 apartments to house IIDPs in Gracanica. Thanks to restless efforts of the MR, Municipal Assembly allocated the land for the project however no funds are secured so far. Since the goal of both projects is same, the LCO retaliated on diverting CCK funds to MCO project. The CCK representatives (along with reps of Ministry for Capital Outlays) stated that they welcome the initiative, however strongly support original plan for the houses as it provides more opportunities to the inhabitants. The MR proposed focusing on both proposals as two phases of the same project, as if construction of the apartment blocks started, convincing Municipal Assembly for another proposal of land allocation. No final agreement was reached in this regard, however all parties agreed to work together, CCK to seek funds for the construction of apartment blocks, and the MR to lobby for land allocation for Novi Badovac project. The MR finished the meeting calling for CCK assistance in organizing urban returns to Prishtinë/Priština. The idea was well received and the focal point was appointed. GJILAN/GNJILANE REGION The Zhiti/Zitinje TF discussed facilitation of the return of four Roma families Forcibily repatriated K/Serb seeks assistance Municipal Working Groups and Task Force Meetings On 9 May Zhiti/Zitinje TF meeting was convened to explore possibilities concerning facilitated return of four Roma families to Zhiti/Zitinje. The MAP reconfirmed commitment of Municipality to support return of all displaced persons regardless of ethnic, religious and racial background. The ARC representative highlighted the strong will displayed by four IDP families temporarily sheltered in a collective centre in Vranje (Serbia) to return. The ARC briefed major concerns of Roma IDPs, which include reconstruction of houses, (temporary) housing arrangements during reconstruction period, water supply, and income generation assistance, provision of essential household items, access to public services, social assistance and 2 health care. The forum had thorough discussion on IDPs concerns. On reconstruction assistance, the village leader appealed to include two extremely vulnerable families from the receiving community. The MAP fully concurred, stating that return project should consider the community stabilization component, as a basic precondition for coexistence. UNDP/SPARK agreed in principle to support reconstruction of the houses of Roma families, however, clarified its strict eligibility criterion that may not cover the receiving community. The UNDP/SPARK will also grant €1,650 to each family as part of its income generation programme. The ARC affirmed providing food assistance for returnees for three months, water supply (temporary basis) and essential household items. Concerning the temporary shelter during the reconstruction phase, RCRU will liaise with two Serb IDP families whose reconstructed houses remained unoccupied in Zhiti/Zitinje, who agreed that their houses could be used accommodate Roma families on temporary basis during the reconstruction phase. At Babljak/Bablak Task Force held on 10 May, the village leaders expressed concerns regarding slow pace of completion of multiethnic school and issue of street lights. The issue concerning humanitarian assistance to one senior most Serb woman, who was denied provision of UNMIK ID card based on missing civil document evidence, eventually deprived her from pension, was discussed at length. In compliance with registration procedures, RCRU directed the village council to get the woman registered through two witness procedure. For the interim period, RCRU urged the municipality to assist the woman. A positive initiative has been taken for the youth involvement by village council through setting up an NGO. On 11 May at Kacanik MWG, the CEO highlighted efforts of the municipal administration, creating a conducive environment for return. The MR, RCRU and UNHCR complimented the Municipality for the positive approach in drafting 2006 MRS and their comments/inputs. The forum approved setting up a review panel represented by MRO, UNMIK, UNHCR and OSCE, tasked for incorporating all comments raised the MRS final version to be endorsed at the next MWG session. Forced returns Mr. Tomislav Ristic, a K/Serb from Ponesh/Pones village in Gjilan/Gnjilane Municipality, approached RCRU complaining his repatriation from Switzerland where he lived with his family since July 2003 (fled from Kosovo). The family left Kosovo as a result of attempted kidnapping of their daughter. Mr. Ristic's brother-in-law was also kidnapped in 1999. Ristic family was forcibly returned on 9 January 2006 to Prishtinë/Priština Airport, received, by officers from an International Organization which did not disclose their identity. Mr. Ristic alleged they tried to convince him to make a statement that their return was voluntary not forced. Mr. Ristic had contacted UNHCR and ARC for a certificate about his forced return which was denied and referred him to UNMIK. The case was directed to OCRM’s Repatration Unit for further guidance. MITROVICË/MITROVICA REGION UNMIK Zvecan/Zvecan and Mitrovice/a revise situation in Svinjare/ë Municipal Working Groups and Task Force Meetings On 11 May the MWG Skenderaj/Srbica was informed that the Municipal authorities, LWF and village representatives have agreed on reviews to Rudnik/Runik concept paper on returns. Displacement / Reconstruction The UNMIK Zvečan/Zveçan and Mitrovica/ë on 11 May reviewed the current situation in Svinjare/ë and identified reconstruction as still the most pressing issue (amongst others) preventing return. However, since it needs to be addressed on the Pristina level, Region will concentrate on other aspects like helping those already in Svinjare to obtain tools and other small items; carrying out a detailed assessment of the Svinjare/ë IDPs in displacement in Zvečan/Zveçan, to see who is most likely to return to Svinjare and what they need in order to do so; follow up on the non-functioning streetlights and the installation of speed bumps which was promised by KFOR last year; approach OCRM regarding the commitment made last year to provide materials/funding for fences round the houses. In addition, a list of five names has been submitted to UNMIK Zvečan/Zveçan and Regional Police HQ for proposed candidates to serve on an LPSC in Svinjare. The efforts to find suitable premises for a police substation are ongoing. In several meetings during last week, UNMIK-Zubin Potok has highlighted the urgent need of Municipal support for IDPs staying in the Municipality, stating that the living condition of the IDPs is deteriorating, especially with housings in community shelters, following prolonged ill-maintenance and seasonal flooding