Programming of International Development Assistance Donor Meeting Agency for Human and Minority Rights September 27, 2007

2 Mandate and of the Agency for Human and Minority Rights The legal successor of former State Union Ministry for Human and Minority Rights Counseling governmental body Broad mandate to perform professional activities regarding protection and promotion of human and minority rights In charge of putting into action all international agreements and treaties

3 Present capacities of the Agency for Human and Minority Rights Roma National Strategy Secretariat Center for Integration of Returnees Commission for Missing Persons Office of the State Agent before the European Court for Human Rights Readmission Office Providing technical and logistic support to the Republic Council for Minorities, chaired by Prime Minister Excellent and functional network with GOs and NGOs

4 Towards the Creation of a Modern and Accountable Agency for Human and Minority Rights Strategic aims:  Raised awareness of state structures about rights of different vulnerable groups  Educated state employees on central and local level  Increased capacities for long-term inclusion of marginalized groups through improved access to all including socio-economic rights  Adopted proper legislative framework  Monitoring mechanisms developed  Data base developed and accessible

5 Legal and Strategic Framework European Partnership Multi Annual Indicative Programming Document – support refugee/returnee integration Multi Annual Indicative Programming Document – socio-economic requirements – a policy against social exclusion Needs Assessment for International Assistance National Strategy for the EU Accession National legislation

6 Returnees/Migrants Main achievements: Draft National Strategy for the Integration of Returnees Readmission Office at the airport Center for Integration of Returnees at the PF Manuel/Information Bulletin for the Integration of Returnees in the Process of Readmission Data base on socio-economic status of returnees with data about more then 3300 families

7 Returnees/Migrants Main achievements: 10 trainings at the local level Capacity building for NGOs in undeveloped regions Steering Committee on Reintegration of Returnees Serbian language classes for returnee children in 15 municipalities Report on the returnees and reintegration Process in Serbia with recommendations – in preparation

8 Returnees/Migrants Detected problems: Lack of awareness about the population of returnees among local state and municipal employees Lack of awareness about their rights among returnees themselves and interest to solve their problems Traumatization and health problems of forced returnees Unemployment and housing problems Traumatization of returnee children as specific vulnerable group and lack of integration into the educational system Problems with data gathering

9 Returnees/Migrants Strategy: Trainings and networking for different sectors Trainings for school and pre-school employees in contact with returnee children Developing programme with the Ministry of Education for integration of returnee population with Serbian language classes into the educational system Capacity building of the Readmission Office at the Belgrade Airport

10 Returnees/Migrants Strategy: Developing of data-base with web access Direct assistance to returnees with the cooperation with NGOs (health assistance, translation of documents, therapy and counseling, educational and vocational counseling Establishment of working group and up- date of all relevant documents on returnees

11 Returnees/Migrants Strategy for IPA: Establishment of the Center for Integration of Migrants Developing an overall analyses on migrants in Serbia Developing an overall analyses on specific vulnerable groups within migrants Integrated data base on migrant categories Revising Strategy for Integration on Returnees and Drafting Strategy for Integration of Migrants with action plans and measures

12 National Commission for Prevention of Torture Strategy: Capacity building of the NCPT Organized trainings with line ministries on the Istanbul protocol and ECPT Networking Organization of round tables and development of monitoring mechanisms To assist establishment of rehabilitation center Set up a working group of legal experts and institutional representatives for harmonization of domestic legislation with standards set in this field

13 Improved access of marginalized groups to socio-economic rights Strategy: Capacity building of the AHMR Organization inter-ministerial working groups Developing Strategy for Socio-Economic Inclusion of Marginalized Groups based on Revised Social Charter and PRSP Inclusion of socio-economic priorities in other strategic documents/action plans Organization of trainings on the mechanisms for inclusion of marginalized groups

14 Improved access of marginalized groups to socio-economic rights Strategy: Establishment of the local networks for implementation of strategic priorities at local level Inclusion of marginalized groups representatives into the decision making process Inclusion of strategic priorities in local development programmes/local strategies

15 Concluding remarks Donor assistance has been very beneficial in the past period and many significant achievements has been made so far. Further assistance is needed to help achieving main requirements stemming from international obligation and international treaties in order to promote and protect human and minority rights in Serbia

Thank you for your attention! AHRM All projects are available on ISDACON IS