Newsroom
OSCE Mission promotes property rights in Kosovo
PRISTINA 5 November 2007
PRISTINA, 5 November 2007 - The OSCE Mission in Kosovo launched an information campaign today to provide information on judicial and administrative remedies available for individuals - in particular minority communities and displaced persons - on housing and property-related matters.
A large number of property-related cases remain pending in Kosovo's courts for years, displaced people within or outside Kosovo often lack information on how to claim their rights, and violent incidents still occur as result of property disputes.
"Disputes over property between individuals, or between individuals and public institutions still occur frequently and are many times complex," said Henry McGowen, the Director of the OSCE Mission's Department for Human Rights, Decentralization and Communities. "Through this campaign, the OSCE seeks to help people understand their rights so that they can better resolve these problems."
The campaign aims to provide practical information about the available legal remedies, such as municipal courts for cases of illegal occupation, or compensation disputes following expropriation of property. Information will also be provided on the mandate of the Kosovo Property Agency which deals with the resolution of claims relating to privately owned land and buildings, including agricultural and commercial property. Further information will be given regarding claims against exclusion from privatization benefits.
Meetings will be held throughout Kosovo with municipal community officers, municipal return officers, and representatives of displaced persons and returnee associations. Information leaflets will also be distributed and notices will be placed on public buildings.
The campaign was designed for the general public, which does not always have the legal knowledge to know how to resolve property disputes. Contact details of relevant institutions and agencies, as well as court liaison offices or legal aid NGOs, are listed on brochures to help people find solutions through the judicial and administrative systems.
A large number of property-related cases remain pending in Kosovo's courts for years, displaced people within or outside Kosovo often lack information on how to claim their rights, and violent incidents still occur as result of property disputes.
"Disputes over property between individuals, or between individuals and public institutions still occur frequently and are many times complex," said Henry McGowen, the Director of the OSCE Mission's Department for Human Rights, Decentralization and Communities. "Through this campaign, the OSCE seeks to help people understand their rights so that they can better resolve these problems."
The campaign aims to provide practical information about the available legal remedies, such as municipal courts for cases of illegal occupation, or compensation disputes following expropriation of property. Information will also be provided on the mandate of the Kosovo Property Agency which deals with the resolution of claims relating to privately owned land and buildings, including agricultural and commercial property. Further information will be given regarding claims against exclusion from privatization benefits.
Meetings will be held throughout Kosovo with municipal community officers, municipal return officers, and representatives of displaced persons and returnee associations. Information leaflets will also be distributed and notices will be placed on public buildings.
The campaign was designed for the general public, which does not always have the legal knowledge to know how to resolve property disputes. Contact details of relevant institutions and agencies, as well as court liaison offices or legal aid NGOs, are listed on brochures to help people find solutions through the judicial and administrative systems.