World Refugee Day 2010 Roundtable in Pakrac

17 June 2010, as part of the celebratory week to mark World Refugee Day 2010, roundtable was held in Pakrac, Western Slavonia, an area to where a large number of former refugees have returned. The event was organized by the Coalition for Promotion and Protection of Human Rights and attended by UNHCR staff Mr. Mario Pavlovic and Mrs. Kristina Benic-Belavic, NGO representatives and local authorities.

Participants discussed challenges and issues of return and integration of returnees. UNHCR's Head of Return and Reintegration Unit, Mr. Mario Pavlovic recalled the current situation of UNHCR's persons of concern worldwide. Referring to the situation in Croatia, Pavlovic stressed that although a great number of people returned there are still many who have not and wish to return to their homes. Progress is visible, especially in rural parts of the country, as far as the government's Housing Care Programe is concerned and the reconstruction of the houses. UNHCR will continue to monitor the implementation of the Housing Care Programe in cooperation with relevant institutions, so that all people in need for the housing care would receive adequate accommodation.

Representatives of the NGOs referred to problems and issues related to the social welfare system, health insurance and the right to retirement, which are still the main obstacles faced by returnees.

Despite the existing challenges and issues that remain to be solved, participants had an opportunity to hear the positive story of a returnee, who returned in 2004, and slowly rebuilt his life. He recalled the difficult beginning and many challenges were ahead of him, today he is happy and sees a better future.

Conclusions and recommendations of the roundtable were that economic development is a crucial element in the sustainability of return and ensuring a better future for returnees, but there is still a great deal to be done regarding the legal status of returnees.