2010 UNHCR country operations profile - Bosnia and Herzegovina

Working environment

The context

Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) has a complex and cumbersome political structure. The country of approximately four million inhabitants has 13 constitutions, 14 legal systems, 13 prime ministers and some 140 different ministries. Ethno-national divisions continue to define the political situation in the country. Much effort is still required to resolve the protracted situation of displacement stemming from the conflict which ended nearly 15 years ago.

Durable solutions are needed for more than 115,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) in BiH. The recently revised Strategy for the Implementation of the Dayton Peace Agreement, which offers a viable framework for finding durable solutions, has yet to be adopted by the Parliament. Cooperation among governments in the region needs to be reinvigorated and efforts redoubled to enable some 7,000 refugees from Croatia to find durable solutions. Ending the chapter of protracted displacement in BiH is critical for domestic and regional stability, and to move the country towards integration with the European Union.

Enhancing the implementation of the asylum system and strengthening international refugee protection are key UNHCR objectives in BiH. The adoption of new legislation on asylum and the movement and stay of foreigners are welcome improvements. The legislation on asylum is generally in line with international and regional standards, but shortcomings remain in its implementation.

The extent of statelessness in the country cannot be precisely determined, but it is prevalent among the Roma minority, who are often unable to enjoy effective citizenship.

The needs

A substantial number of IDPs and returnees remain in a precarious situation, lacking adequate living conditions, and require continued support. Some 7,500 IDPs remaining in collective centres are extremely vulnerable. This group includes people who are physically or mentally challenged, the chronically ill, older people without an income or family support, and others who cannot return due to acute protection fears.

Indeed, return is no longer realistic for many of these people, who have been displaced for more than a decade. UNHCR will tailor its interventions to the specific situations of these people, and will aim to maintain the social networks and coping mechanisms that have developed among collective centre residents over many years.

UNHCR has worked to ensure that refugees have access to education, health care, employment and social welfare services under the same conditions as citizens. However, there is still a need to develop a systematic integration strategy, which would include permanent housing and other forms of support for refugees. The local integration of refugees is seriously hampered by restrictive legal conditions for residence permits.

There are few livelihood choices for de facto stateless people, especially of Roma origin, who consistently face discrimination and suffer from the consequences of not having civil documents and registration. This hampers their access to health care, education, employment and other rights. Roma are particularly affected and unable to obtain employment. As a result, they need to be assisted through income-generating projects, including self-employment schemes.

Main objectives

Favourable protection environment

• Enhance the capacity of the national authorities to develop a functioning legal framework and asylum system, which are compatible with international and regional standards.

• Reduce statelessness by assisting concerned people (mostly Roma) to obtain civil documentation so that they may avail themselves of the rights of citizens.

Security from violence and exploitation

• Provide victims of gender-based violence with shelter for their safety, and help them to attain economic self-sufficiency.

Durable solutions

• Intensify collaboration with the national authorities to end the protracted displacement of more than 115,000 IDPs.

• Help the authorities find solutions for the remaining 7,500 vulnerable IDPs who reside in deplorable conditions in collective centres, without prejudice to their right of return.

• Reinvigorate efforts to promote durable solutions for refugees from Croatia and improve their access to rights.

Key targets for 2010

• All refugees and asylum-seekers in the reception centres (230 people) receive food and other relief items; all women of reproductive age receive hygiene items; and 70 per cent of adults and adolescents participate in activities to prevent sexual and gender-based violence.

• All asylum-seekers are properly registered and possess legal documents.

• Some 550 refugees repatriate to Croatia and Kosovo (Serbia), helped by repatriation grants and free transport.

• More than 17,200 people of concern to UNHCR have access to free legal advice.

• Some 6,790 families benefit from income-generation or livelihood projects.

• Some 300 vulnerable IDPs in collective centres receive construction or reconstruction assistance, facilitating local integration or return.

• Some 130 female victims of domestic violence or trafficking receive social and economic assistance.

• Some 500 displaced Roma are issued with birth certificates and personal identity documents.

Strategy

UNHCR's assistance will primarily target extremely vulnerable IDPs, while also focusing on the sustainability of returns. Special attention will be paid to displaced people still living in collective accommodation. As an urgent priority, the Office is advocating for solutions to be found in the place of displacement. These will include geriatric centres and assisted-living facilities, the renovation of existing structures, and the construction of social housing.

Asylum-seekers will be ensured access to due process through border and registration monitoring, as well as through a review of asylum procedures. Practical information and social and legal counselling will be made available for eligible refugees and asylum-seekers. The Office will continue field monitoring of the protection environment for refugees and asylum-seekers and intervene whenever necessary.

UNHCR will assist the Roma in obtaining personal registration, which will allow more members of this minority to attain full recognition before the law and subsequent access to all their rights. Implementation of the Roma Action Plan should also facilitate access to housing, employment and health care.

Constraints

The complex administrative structures in BiH do not generate enough support for human rights and the protection of refugees and asylum-seekers.

The social welfare system in BiH remains underfunded and the needs greatly exceed the system's resources. The current economic crisis further impairs the Government's ability to allocate funds to meet the needs of vulnerable refugees and IDPs. Unemployment continues to be a chronic problem pervading the society, particularly affecting displaced people, women, minorities and other vulnerable groups.

One of the primary difficulties facing the Roma is the widespread lack of civil registration and documentation, which impedes access to other rights, including health care and education. Moreover, documentation gaps increase the risk of exposure to various abuses, including human trafficking.

Organization and implementation

Coordination

UNHCR will work closely with the authorities of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The Office is a member of the Board of Principals, chaired by the UN High Representative, and of the UN Country Team. UNHCR will also continue to work closely with the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, the European Commission, NGOs, donors, and multilateral and bilateral bodies.

Financial information

Of the comprehensive budget for 2010 of USD 19.28 million, 72 per cent is allocated for IDPs, 23 per cent for refugees and the remainder for stateless people. An important component of the budget relates to efforts to find durable solutions for vulnerable IDPs as well as to support self-reliance and livelihood opportunities.

Source: UNHCR Global Appeal 2010-2011