At the sitting held on 29 March, the Poverty Reduction Committee considered the Bill amending and modifying the Refugee Law in principle.

In his opening address, the representative of the Ministry of Interior said that the proposed amendments and modifications to the 1992 Refugee Law further the rights and status of refugees and create the conditions for their lasting integration. He stated that Serbia still has over 300 000 refugees the majority of which face material, social and health difficulties, and above all unresolved housing issues.

Vladimir Cucic, Commissioner for Refugees also talked about the amendments and modifications to the existing law stressing that they should enable a speedier resolution of the refugees’ housing issues. The representative of the non-governmental organisation 484 voiced certain objections and suggestions to some of the proposed solutions.

The Coalition of Refugee Associations, gathering 49 refugee associations, submitted numerous amendments to the Bill aimed at providing more efficient assistance to refugees and decrease administration. Considering that lately the Commissariat for Refugees deals more with the needs of internally displaced persons and readmission, the Coalition proposes broader competencies for the newly-founded Refugee Assistance Fund, as well as a wider involvement of the state in resolving their housing needs.

The Committee members endorsed the Bill amending and modifying the Refugee Law in principle.

The sitting was chaired by Snezana Stojanovic-Plavsic, Committee Chairperson.