Reintegracija.

Reintegracija (Reintegration), founded in 2004, is the first organisation in Serbia to deal with returnee issues after readmission, with the aim of creating the conditions for sustainable returns from Western Europe and empowering returnees within the local community in order to attain both protection and assistance.

Reintegracija works to create a legal framework for protecting the rights of returnees, refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs), and provides free legal information, advice and assistance in order to uphold their human and minority rights. The organisation also supports the economic empowerment of these target groups, whilst working to build trust and inter-ethnic tolerance throughout Sandzak.

The Challenges of Readmission and Human Rights

Between 2000 and 2006, Sandzak received some 50,000 returnees, of which 98 per cent were members of national minorities (85 per cent were Bosniaks and 10 per cent were Roma). Reintegracija conducted research to clarify the problems faced by returnees, including renewing personal identification documentation, verifying diplomas and certificates, accessing pensions, unemployment and endemic poverty. On the basis of this research, Reintegracija developed a comprehensive and systematic approach to tackling some of these problems.

Through lobbying and public information campaigns, Reintegracija has sought to raise public awareness about the problems facing returnees, and to assist returnees in realising and exercising their rights and securing the necessary documentation. Reintegracija have also encouraged and facilitated co-operation between organisations working on issues of pertinence to returnees, including the exchange of volunteers with national and international organisations and relevant institutions.