The Milli Majlis (National Assembly) has approved, in the first reading, proposed amendments to the Housing Code, as well as the laws "On the status of refugees and internally displaced persons (internally displaced persons)" and "On social protection of internally displaced persons and persons equated to them."
According to the Operative Information Center-OMM, this issue was included in the agenda of the parliament's plenary session held on June 12.
The draft law was developed to improve legislative acts related to the resettlement of internally displaced persons (IDPs) to the liberated territories, the provision of their property rights, and the conditions for losing IDP status. The amendments to the Housing Code will establish a new institution, the "Fund for Permanent Resettlement in Liberated Territories." Residential areas under this fund will be utilized to facilitate the relocation of IDPs and transfer these properties into their ownership.
Furthermore, the proposed changes to the law "On the status of refugees and internally displaced persons" clarify the circumstances under which IDP status is revoked. Under the new proposal, an individual will be provided with a new residence in their home region, effectively restoring their property rights. The legislation also stipulates that an individual will lose their IDP status if they refuse the housing offered by the state.
The draft also clarifies the duration of social protection measures. The current three-year grace period will be calculated from the date the individual loses their status or refuses the housing. Additionally, amendments to Article 5 of the law "On social protection of internally displaced persons and persons equated to them" modify the relocation mechanism. Under the new regulations, the state's obligation will be considered fulfilled upon the offer of a residential area, thereby balancing the housing rights of IDPs with the interests of third parties.
The establishment of this fund marks a significant step in the "Great Return" program, a strategic initiative by the government of Azerbaijan to rebuild infrastructure and restore communities in the Garabagh and East Zangazur economic regions following the 44-day Patriotic War.
