“Particularly deplorable is the fact that considerable numbers of IDPs are
forced to continue their dismal lives in camps and elsewhere because there is no
donor money available to implement their return,” said Dr. Walter Kalin, the
Representative on the Human Rights of Internally Displaced Persons said.
He also expressed his concern that there is no clear responsibility for IDPs
assigned to the UN Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) or the Provisional Institutions of
Self-Government there, saying that the focus of attention has been on the return
of refugees who had crossed borders.
He said the lack of attention was particularly applicable for the Roma,
Ashkali and Egyptian IDPs who, together with the other non-Serb minorities, feel
caught between the two main ethnic communities in Kosovo.
Dr. Kalin also appealed to the international community to provide resources
to immediately evacuate the Roma population affected by lead poisoning in camps
in Northern Mitrovica. “A failure to act now would amount to a violation of the
right of the affected children to have their health and physical integrity
protected,” he said.
24 June 2005 –
Low-level harassment, curtailed freedom of movement, lack of employment
opportunities and a dearth of funding were cited as obstacles to the successful
return of internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Kosovo, in a statement issued
today by the representative of United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan on
the rights of such persons.
Harassment,
funding shortfall, hamper return of displaced in Kosovo – UN
envoy