Property Issues in Displacement and Conflict Resolution

Abstract

Property plays an important role in the decisions made by refugees and displaced persons regarding durable solutions for them and their families. In particular, it will affect their decision whether to return to their homes. Understanding property rights in this context is imperative, especially for agencies involved in post-conflict rehabilitation. This paper sets out the context by outlining various legal and practical considerations. It then looks at specific initia fives in Mozambique, Bosnia and Nicaragua. For a variety of reasons, there is a move towards "non formal" resolution of property dispu tes, in particular the use of alternative dispute resolution mechanisms. These are considered, and seven points of comment and conclusion then follow.