Lack of reliable data impeding positive efforts by Kosovo institutions on repatriation, OSCE report reveals

Prishtinё/Priština, 9 January 2014 – The OSCE Mission today published its third report on the reintegration of persons repatriated to Kosovo.

The report notes that Kosovo central and local level institutions have made significant progress since 2011 in improving their co-ordination and policies, and by increasing assistance to repatriated persons. However, the lack of reliable data about forcibly returned persons, their access to services and the assistance they need makes it difficult to identify priorities, develop reintegration projects, and assess their implementation.

“I commend the commitment by Kosovo institutions to the repatriation and reintegration processes, which is evident from their continued allocation of substantial human and financial resources,” said Deputy Head of the OSCE Mission in Kosovo Paivi Nikander. 

“I call on everyone involved, especially the municipalities, to seek out repatriated persons, collect the necessary data, and develop a database that will help raise the effectiveness of reintegration projects. Reintegration is about basic human rights, about the right to shelter and housing, civil registration, work, education and health care, and no one should be denied those due to a lack of information.”   

The report is based on regular OSCE Mission in Kosovo’s monitoring activities. It follows up on the earlier reports from 2009 and 2011 and offers analysis and recommendations to central and local level institutions on how to tackle identified challenges.

The report is available at: //www.osce.org/kosovo/110147