Handbook on Housing and Property Restitution

April 12, 2006

To make a very long story short(er), as you may already be aware the Sub-Commission Rapporteur on housing and property restitution, Paulo Sérgio Pinheiro, has for several years been working on a study on housing and property restitution, with the NGO COHRE as main support. In August 2005, the Sub-Commission endorsed his proposed Principles on Housing and Property Restitution for Refugees and Displaced Persons.

IDD/OCHA has taken the initiative to a joint project to prepare a hand book for practitioners in the field on housing and property restitution for refugees and displaced persons based on the so called "Pinheiro Principles", for broad distribution at the field level (OHCHR, UNHCR, FAO, UNDP and a couple of others are also involved). An inter-agency working meeting on the draft was held on 10 April to review the first draft presented by the consultant hired to work on this.
It should be underlined that the first draft, raised fundamental concerns (!) from OHCHR's side, particularly with respect to inaccuracies with respect to the legal analysis (and the presentation of the principles as a United Nations principles although they have, as of yet, only been endorsed by the Sub-Commission). During the inter-agency working meeting it was decided that the draft should be considerably revised, that the legal analysis should be kept to a minimum (and be thoroughly reviewed by us) and that the emphasis should be on practical guidance illustrated by real-life examples of housing and property restitution work from various country situations.
In addition to the review of the contents itself, OHCHR has in explicitly been asked to provide examples of best practices on housing and property restitution for the next draft of the handbook. However, "lessons learned" examples are also welcome. So far appreciated input has been received from OHCHR/Nepal, but CBB's assistance in providing examples from other regions as well is very much needed.

We have been asked to provide our contribution by the end of April, and in order for us to be able to consolidate our input I would appreciate contributions by 25 April. I am at your disposal if any clarification is needed.

In addition to the first draft of the handbook (which is now largely redundant...!!!), I am also attaching the "Pinheiro Principles" and explanatory notes for reference, if needed.
Best regards and many thanks in advance, Cecilia