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Doc. 8789
6 July 2000
Humanitarian situation of returnees to Kosovo
Motion for a resolution
presented by Lord Judd and others
This motion has not been discussed in the Assembly and commits only the members who have signed it |
1. Before next winter, the return of refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs) to Kosovo is likely to become an issue of major concern. Significant attempts have been made in recent months to encourage and accelerate return to Kosovo. NATO has announced that up to 25 000 Serbs could return in the months ahead.
2. The reality of return will be a major political challenge, both for the participation of the Serb and other minorities in any administrative structure in Kosovo, and also for the forthcoming municipal elections which are likely to be held in autumn 2000. Meanwhile, on humanitarian grounds, serious doubts have developed about the conditions of return and the adequacy of preparations on the spot.
3. With regard to the conditions, there is evidence that some countries deport Kosovar Albanians, both with and without criminal records. Germany, for example, wants all Kosovar Albanian refugees to be returned before the end of December 2000. About 160 000 people are affected by this decision. For the 2 000 refugees remaining in “the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia”, any end to their temporary humanitarian status could lead to unprepared return.
4. With regard to the on-the-spot preparations, despite the impressive deployment of protection and assistance in and around the Serb enclaves throughout Kosovo, and despite the efforts made by Kosovar Albanians and Serbs to find sustainable solutions for peaceful co-existence between the ethnic groups, the ongoing violence still makes it difficult to believe that the enclaves, where freedom of movement is inevitably very limited, potentially offer security and life with dignity.
5. Nevertheless, there are some promising developments concerning the return of Roma, Ashkalija and Egyptian communities. It seems that the conditions for their return to Kosovo could improve. Kosovo Albanian leaders have indicated their support for a joint platform to discuss humanitarian and security conditions for Roma displaced persons and refugees.
6. While convinced that the return of all those who had to leave Kosovo would be an enormous achievement both for the population of Kosovo and for all international actors involved, the Parliamentary Assembly is convinced that this return can only take place when the necessary conditions are met. Hazardous, unprepared and, in particular, forced return will prove counterproductive in terms of the already difficult task of ensuring a multiethnic Kosovo.
7. The Assembly therefore urges its member states to refrain from forced deportation of refugees to Kosovo. Return must invariably be genuinely voluntary.
8. The Assembly also urges its member states to evaluate, case by case with the competent agencies, whether the conditions for voluntary return exist.
9. The Assembly instructs its Committee on Migration, Refugees and Demography closely to monitor the situation on the spot, and to report as necessary to the Assembly on the humanitarian situation of returnees to Kosovo.
Signed 1 :
Judd, United Kingdom, SOC
Begaj, Albania, SOC
Brancati, Italy, SOC
Christodoulides, Cyprus, UEL
Cilevics, Latvia, SOC
De Aristegui, Spain, EPP/CD
Fehr, Switzerland, LDR
Fernandez Aguilar, Spain, EPP/CD
Gross, Switzerland, SOC
Kanelli, Greece, UEL
Katseli, Greece, SOC
Keltošová, Slovakia, EDG
Lauricella, Italy, SOC
Moreels, Belgium, EPP/CD
Mutman, Turkey, SOC
Norvoll, Norway, SOC
Szinyei, Hungary, EPP/CD
Tabajdi, Hungary, SOC
Tkác, Slovakia, EDG
Vanoost, Belgium, SOC
Vermot-Mangold, Switzerland, SOC
Wilkinson, United Kingdom, EDG
Zapfl-Helbling, Switzerland, EPP/CD
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1 SOC: Socialist Group
EPP/CD: Group of the European People’s Party
EDG: European Democratic Group
LDR : Liberal, Democratic and Reformers’ Group
UEL: Group of the Unified European Left
NR: not registered in a group