FM Alert, Vol III, No. 5
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Subject: FM Alert, Vol III, No. 5
From: MINELRES moderator <[email protected]>
Original sender: Paulette Layton <[email protected]>
FM Alert, Vol III, No. 5
FM Alert, Vol. III, No. 5
February 5, 1999
FMP CALLS FOR PILOT PROJECTS TO PROMOTE REFORM OF CIS NGO LEGISLATION
The Forced Migration Projects (FMP) have issued a call for pilot
projects in CIS states that would promote reform and effective
implementation of nongovernmental organization-related (NGO)
legislation. Key international organizations and NGOs, including the
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), welcomed the
FMP initiative, unveiled January 27 at a coordination meeting of the
NGO Working Groups that operate under the auspices of the CIS
Conference on migration-related issues. The FMP has long maintained
that registration and taxation policies in CIS countries should be
eased to foster growth of the NGO sector. "Such local NGO pilot
projects could produce systemic reform in this crucial area of
promoting freedom of association," FMP Director Arthur C. Helton said.
At the Geneva coordination meeting, representatives of lead agencies
discussed the strategic plans of five of the six NGO Working Groups.
The FMP heads the Working Group on NGO Legislation. In addition, UNHCR
officials outlined plans for the NGO meeting that will precede the
next gathering of the CIS Conference Steering Group. The NGO meeting
will be held at the Palais des Nations on June 22-23. NGOs not already
accredited must apply for accreditation by March 30. Established
procedures require that an NGO be properly identified either by a
UNHCR field office, or an NGO Working Group lead agency, prior to the
formal submission of an accreditation application. UNHCR will share
the list of NGO candidates for accreditation with respective
governments.
(For additional information see FM Alerts of January 8, and December
28 and November 5, 1998).
BOSNIAN SERB LAW ESTABLISHES LIMIT ON PROPERTY CLAIMS
New Bosnian Serb property legislation is designed to remove obstacles
that have effectively blocked the ability of pre-war residents to
reclaim their homes and apartments. International officials and
nongovernmental organization (NGOs) representatives offered tepid
praise for the content of the legislation, while expressing concern
over the law's proper implementation. The Republika Srpska Assembly in
December 1998 adopted the Law on Cessation of Application of the Law
on the Use of Abandoned Property, which specifically recognizes the
binding decision-making authority of the Commission for Real Property
Claims of Displaced Persons and Refugees in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The law refines procedures for the return of property rights to
pre-war residents of both private real estate and socially owned
housing. The Property Commission described the law as "a positive
measure that strengthens the rights of people displaced by the
(1992-95 Bosnian) conflict." The commission went on to note that the
Bosnian Serb revisions were similar to those adopted in April in the
Muslim-Croat Federation, adding that the harmonized statutes "should
bring equal protection to people with property in both entities."
However, the commission, in addition to NGO representatives, stressed
that the key to success was in the legislation's implementation. "The
real test of the of the RS laws, as in the Federation, will be in
their interpretation and implementation by responsible authorities at
the local level." In addition, some NGOs, including the Forced
Migration Projects, expressed particular concern over a June 19, 1999,
time-limit for claims on socially owned apartments in RS, saying the
imposition of a deadline could potentially hamper return.
(For additional information see FM Alerts of January 8, and December
10 and October 23, 1998).
FMS CONTROVERSY UNDERSCORES NEED FOR NGO ASSOCIATION
Allegations of financial misdeeds by Russia's Federal Migration
Service (FMS) underscore a need to strengthen the involvement of
nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) in Program of Action
implementation. A January 23 article, published by the Russian daily
Nezavisimaya Gazeta, detailed FMS wrongdoing. Citing an audit
performed by Russia's Accounting Office, the newspaper said that FMS
personnel had improperly used approximately $10 million, spending the
money on "staff benefits" rather than on programs to ease hardships
faced by refugees and displaced persons. At a January 25 news
conference, FMS Director Tatyana Regent denied the allegations,
describing the Accounting Office audit as a "mistake." In recent
weeks, speculation has swept Moscow that the FMS would be merged into
a new "super-ministry," also incorporating Russia's Ministry of
Nationalities and other government agencies. As controversy plagues
the FMS, NGOs in the CIS are striving to form an organization that
could offer a viable alternative in the planning and implementation of
programs that assist forced migrants and displaced persons. The five
founding members of the CIS NGO Association signed a memorandum of
understanding in December 1998. Association expansion will be aided
by a report, due to be released in June, on the activity of CIS-based
NGOs, operating within the context of follow-up to the 1996 CIS
Conference on migration-related issues. "The emergence of independent
sector actors and networks in the region will facilitate the provision
of humanitarian assistance to needy displaced persons," said Forced
Migration Projects Director Arthur C. Helton.
(For additional information see FM Alerts of December 28 and November
5, 1998).
For more information contact:
The Forced Migration Projects
400 West 59th Street, 4th floor
New York, NY 10019
tel: (212)548-0655
fax: (212) 548-4676
e-mail: [email protected]
website: www.soros.org/migrate.html
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