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Handbook on the Dayton Peace Agreement
PC-1510-100-96
February 1996

Annex 7

Agreement on Refugees and Displaced Persons


Annex 7 is the Agreement on Refugees and Displaced Persons. The parties are the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and the Republika Srpska.

Summary of Main Points

All refugees and displaced persons have the right to freely return to their homes of origin, to have returned to them property of which they were deprived, and to be compensated for any property that cannot be restored to them.

The parties undertake to prevent all activities within their territories that would hinder or impede the safe return of refugees and displaced persons. The return destination will be the choice of the individual or family, and the parties will not interfere with their choice or compel them to remain in or move to an insecure or dangerous environment.

The parties will establish a nine-member CDP&R with its headquarters in Sarajevo. The CDP&R will receive and decide claims for real property in Bosnia and Herzegovina that was not voluntarily sold or transferred since 1 April 1992.

The President of the European Court of Human Rights will appoint three members to 5-year terms and designate one to act as Chairman of the CDP&R. The other members will include four individuals from the Federation and two from the Republika Srpska.

The CDP&R decisions will be based on a majority of its members. The CDP&R may either return property to its rightful owner, establish a satisfactory lease arrangement, or award compensation in lieu of return of the property. Compensation awards may be in the form of monetary grant or a compensation bond for the future purchase of real property. CDP&R decisions will be final.

After notification to the CDP&R and in coordination with the UNHCR and other organizations, the parties may temporarily house refugees and displaced persons in vacant property, subject to final determination of ownership by the CDP&R.

Upon the Agreement Entering Into Force

Within 90 Days (13 March)

After 5 Years

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