WEB engleska verzija end.indd - UNDP Croatia

THE SOCIALLY EXCLUDEDCHAPTER 3with the international community at the highest level,more than 40% of the 214 Croatian Serb villages havebeen re-electrified and the overall process is scheduledto be finalized by the end of 2008.The OSCE has started similar advocacy actions infavour of the amelioration of infrastructure in returnareas in regard to water supplies and road maintenance.The OSCE has also produced analytical reportsencompassing all return villages/hamlets and ensuringthe adequate political and financial prioritisationfrom central authorities in the reconstruction of thenecessary infrastructure network.In 2006, the UNDP launched a local developmentprogramme in several counties in the Areas of SpecialState Concern which aims, amongst other things, toprovide limited infrastructure support to the mostneglected areas.3.3.9 Key ChallengesAlthough the economy is in transition and experiencingpositive growth, the improvement of social andeconomic life in areas of return is necessary for theintegration of returnees in Croatia. Counties whichsuffered the consequences of war and which havethe highest numbers of the returnees continue to lagbehind the rest of the country. If the present socio-economicsituation in return areas persists and if differentprogrammes for social and economic revitalisation donot begin to yield positive results, such conditions maycontinue to negatively affect the pace of return andfurther isolate returnees. This socio-economic situationmeans that once refugees have become returneesthey still rely on humanitarian assistance to facilitatetheir initial legal, social and economic reintegration intheir communities.3.3.10 Policy implications- All the obstacles impeding closure of the refugee filein the region should be removed, and all the politicalconditions, as well as legal and practical mechanismsenabling the sustainable return of refugees to Croatiashould be created by the end of 2006 (as foreseen inthe Sarajevo Declaration).- The implementation of housing care programmesfor former Occupancy/Tenancy Rights holdersshould be accelerated. Property restitution andreconstruction assistance, in particular the resolutionof all pending appeals, should be accelerated andcompleted by the end of 2007.- Status problems of the displaced persons, whohave not yet acquired Croatian citizenship, shouldbe resolved and working years in the former Serbcontrolled areas should be recognized for all thoseeligible under the Law on Co-validation.- Basic infrastructure in return areas should beimproved. The Croatian Electric Company (HEP)should expedite the re-electrification of returnvillages, expected to be completed by 2008. Localand regional self-government bodies should workon improving and repairing water supply networksand road conditions.- Employment discrimination on minorityemployment in public institutions should beinvestigated and statistics collected. Strategiesto enforce and encourage minority employmentshould be developed and implemented.- Comprehensive development programmes thatfocus on all areas of return which reflect the specificneeds of returnees should be developed.- A long-term strategy should be adopted aiming tophase out the physical separation between childrenof Serb and Croat ethnicity in Eastern Slavonia.59