Housing and property restitution for refugees and IDPs

The speaker discussed the land rights issues of displaced people returning home. She drew attention to the Pinheiro Principles, and the recently published 'Housing and Property Restitution for Refugees and IDPs: Implementing the Pinheiro Principles' (OCHA/IDD, UN HABITAT, UNHCR, FAO, OHCHR, NRC, IDMC, 2007). She cited many examples of the complex issues surrounding land tenure for displaced communities, and provided potential solutions such as mediation, or setting up ad-hoc, internationally-run bodies to resolve restitution issues on a case-by-case basis. However, she emphasised that no solution works in all situations and that any policy must take into account all affected people.