sustainable return or electioneering

Bosnian Television "Crta" program last night revealed the depth of misuse of the Dayton Peace Agreement aim on Return of Refugees in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Any activity on the return, especially sustainable return of refugees, seems to come under the spotlight as the election's day nears. Municipality of Zvornik and Bosniak returnees were the special focus of the program. Their divisiveness came to the forefront instead of united front calling for the mobilisation of resources that could help sustainable return of all the refugees.

This was a grim reminder that as the time goes by, the hope for return fades more and more. The returnees are turned against each other in order to shift the focus from the real issue - the inalienable right of return, its timelessness and the responsibility of the State to make it possible.

What should returnees expect the State to do? Is the timeline on the right of return breach of the right of refugees?

to return or not

Having visited few villages on the outskirts of Zvornik municipality, Bosnia-Herzegovina, last weekend I could not but admire the returnees to Zvornik.

The constant dilemma in the mind of a returned refugee - to return or not - is overpowered by the shier will to prevail in the quest to reclaim the right of return. Of course, this quest is defined in different terms by those who've returned to their homes - the sense of pride coupled with the basic human desire to return home.

After watching these people talk about their hardship and such desire to return home, I ask myself who can, if ever, say that 200 million Euros (as BiH Parliament concluded) is the final bid before the process of return is officially declared over. Would this be enough for over a million of those still living outside Bosnia to return? Who will decide that their right exists no more? Who will say on behalf of the state that return of refugees is no longer an outstanding issue on the agenda?

Some questions to ponder till next time.