For the purposes of this Agreement:

“Refugees” are persons or groups of persons forced to flee their own state and seek safety in another state. They are unable to return to their own state because of feared persecution as a result of who they are; what they believe in or say; or because of armed conflict, violence, or serious public disorder.

“Internally displaced persons” are persons or groups of persons who have been forced or obliged to flee or to leave their homes or places of habitual residence, in particular as a result of or in order to avoid the effects of armed conflict, situations of generalized violence, violations of human rights or natural or human induced disasters, and who have not crossed an internationally recognized state border.

“Displaced persons” shall include all persons who have left their homes, whether within or outside [state of origin], for reasons connected with the armed conflict.

“Returnees” refers to those displaced persons that are involved in the legal process of returning to their place of origin, or another place of their choice within the state of origin.

For the purposes of this Agreement, [refugees / IDPs / displaced persons] shall not refer to persons who have left their state of origin voluntarily in search for economic opportunities or other personal reasons, which are not connected to [the armed conflict], [persecution], [violence], [and / or] [serious public disorder].

The Parties to this Agreement affirm that displaced persons, including refugees [and], internally displaced persons (IDPs) [, and those otherwise displaced by conflict] are active participants in the peace process. The Parties hereby agree to:

(a) Acknowledge the unique perspectives and contributions of [refugees / IDPs / displaced persons] in addressing the root causes and consequences of conflict;

(b) Facilitate the meaningful participation of representatives of [refugees / IDPs / displaced persons] in peacebuilding activities, [including decision making forums and mechanisms established under this Agreement];

(c) Ensure that all discussions and measures aimed at reconciliation, return, reintegration, and the rebuilding of communities are informed by the voices and needs of [refugees / IDPs / displaced persons];

(d) Promote non discriminatory policies that protect the rights of [refugees / IDPs / displaced persons] and promote their active role in shaping a peaceful and inclusive society.

The Parties affirm their full commitment to the 1951 Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees and the 1966 Protocol Relating to the Status of Refugees.

The Parties [additionally reaffirm their commitment to] / [will take steps to ratify] [the 1969 Organization of African Unity Convention Governing the Specific Aspects of Refugee Problems in Africa].

Recognizing the shared responsibility to support [refugees / IDPs / displaced persons] and host communities, the Parties to this Agreement reaffirm their commitment to the principles and objectives of the Global Compact on Refugees, as adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 2018.

The Parties acknowledge that the national unity of the people of [state] cannot be achieved without a definitive solution to the problem of [refugees / IDPs / displaced persons].

The Parties recognize that the return of [refugees / IDPs / displaced persons] is an inalienable right and represents a factor of peace, unity, and national reconciliation.

The Parties undertake not to hinder the free exercise of this right by the [refugees / IDPs / displaced persons].

[[Refugees / IDPs / displaced persons] shall not forfeit any of the rights and freedoms of citizens for having left their original places of residence.]

The Parties agree to:

[Ensure that [refugees / IDPs / displaced persons] fully enjoy all the same rights and fundamental freedoms established for all citizens;]

[Reintegrate [refugees / IDPs / displaced persons] and create the conditions that will allow them to participate fully in the economic, social, political, and cultural development of the country;]

[Fulfill genuine reconciliation through promoting a culture of peace and peaceful coexistence in the resettlement areas, and at the national and regional / state levels, based on participation, mutual tolerance and respect.]

Special emphasis shall be placed on protecting female headed families, widows, orphans, [and indigenous communities], who have been the most seriously affected.

The Parties are committed to achieving the successful return of [refugees / IDPs / displaced persons] under peaceful and secure conditions. The Parties shall guarantee the safety and security of those persons in the course of return and rehabilitation operations. The Parties shall not attack, intimidate, or harass returning populations in any way.

At all times, the human rights of the returnees shall be fully respected.

Special considerations, protections, and processes will be given to vulnerable groups such as women, children, the elderly, ethnic minorities, and persons with a disability.

The Parties shall ensure that [refugees and internally displaced persons] / [all displaced persons] are permitted to return in safety, without risk of harassment, intimidation, persecution, or discrimination, particularly on account of their ethnic origin, religious belief, or political opinion.

The Parties shall take all necessary steps to prevent activities within their territories that would hinder or impede the safe and voluntary return of [refugees / IDPs / displaced persons].

To demonstrate their commitment to creating, without delay, the conditions suitable for the return of [refugees / IDPs / displaced persons], the Parties shall, with immediate effect, take the following confidence building measures:

[The repeal of domestic legislation and administrative practices with discriminatory intent or effect towards [refugees / IDPs / displaced persons];]

[The prevention and prompt suppression of any written or verbal incitement, through media or otherwise, of hostility towards [refugees / IDPs / displaced persons], particularly that of ethnic or religious hatred;]

[The dissemination, through the media, or warnings against and the prompt suppression of acts of retribution against [refugees / IDPs / displaced persons] by military, paramilitary, and police services, and by other public officials or private individuals;]

[The protection of [refugees / IDPs / displaced persons] wherever they are found and the provision of immediate access to these populations by international humanitarian organizations and monitors;]

[The prosecution, dismissal, or transfer, as appropriate, of persons in military, paramilitary, and police forces, and other public servants, responsible for serious violations of the basic rights of persons belonging to [refugee / IDP / displaced persons] groups.]

Concerned about the security of those who are being resettled or who live in the zones affected by the conflict, the Parties recognize the urgent need to remove all types of mines or explosive devices buried or abandoned in these areas, and they commit themselves to cooperate fully in these activities.

The Parties agree that all [refugees / IDPs / displaced persons] shall have the right to make an informed decision for the voluntary return to their place of origin, homes, or to places or areas of their habitual residence; they shall also have the right to resettle to other places of their choosing.

The [name of government] shall commit to accepting the return of refugees who have left the territory, including those who have been accorded temporary protection by third countries.

The Parties shall adhere to the principle of non refoulement, and [IDPs / refugees / displaced persons] shall thus not be subject to forced return or resettlement in any place where their life, safety, liberty, and / or health would be at risk.

The Parties are committed to achieving the successful return of all [refugees / IDPs / displaced persons] under peaceful and secure conditions. Choice of destination shall be up to the individual or family, and the principle of the unity of the family shall be preserved.

The Parties shall not interfere with the returnees' choice of destination, nor shall they compel them to remain in or move to situations of serious danger or insecurity, or to areas lacking in the basic infrastructure necessary to resume a normal life.

The Parties shall facilitate the flow of information necessary for [refugees / IDPs / displaced persons] to make informed judgments about local conditions for return.

The Parties [and the international community] shall endeavor to ensure the right of safe return for [refugees / IDPs / displaced persons] and to be free from violence, harassment, intimidation, coercion, confiscation of property, or forced resettlement.

[The Parties agree that nomadic routes shall be open and secure, in particular during the return of [refugees / IDPs / displaced persons] to their homes of origin. The Parties shall review the changes of such routes and find alternatives if necessary.]

The Parties affirm the right of displaced persons to the restitution of property and possessions lost due to conflict, [forced displacement], [or illegal occupation]. To ensure effective restitution and compensation, the Parties agree to:

Establish an independent Property Restitution and Compensation Commission to adjudicate claims fairly and transparently;

Develop and implement a process for returning confiscated or occupied properties to rightful owners;

Provide fair and adequate compensation where restitution is not possible;

Guarantee non discriminatory access to judicial and administrative mechanisms for property claims;

Ensure the protection of returnees from eviction or intimidation upon reclaiming property.

The Parties shall ensure that all housing, land, and property restitution programs, policies, and practices recognize the joint ownership rights of both male and female heads of the household as an explicit component of the restitution process, and that restitution programs, policies, and practices reflect a gender sensitive approach.

The citizenship and participation rights and privileges of [refugees / IDPs / displaced persons] shall not be forfeited or otherwise affected due to their status as [refugees / IDPs / displaced persons].

The rights and privileges of [refugees / IDPs / displaced persons] shall be fully restored and guaranteed in their state of origin. [Refugees / IDPs / displaced persons] shall not be discriminated against or prevented from participating in government or electing officials of their choice. [Refugees / IDPs / displaced persons] shall be registered and included in the electoral rolls together with other citizens in their places of residence.]

The Parties shall ensure that all displaced persons, including returnees, have access to legal identity documents, including birth certificates, national identity cards, and residency permits, without discrimination. To achieve this, the Parties commit to:

Establish or strengthen mechanisms for the recognition and issuance of identity documents to displaced persons;

Ensure that documentation is provided [free of charge] / [at an affordable cost];

Remove legal and administrative barriers that prevent displaced persons from obtaining legal identity;

Facilitate the recognition of documents issued in exile to prevent statelessness;

Ensure [refugees’ / IDPs’ / displaced persons’] legal identity is recognized in all state institutions and services.

The Parties reaffirm that all [refugees / IDPs / displaced persons] have the right to freedom of movement and residence within the territory of [state], subject only to restrictions necessary for security or public order in accordance with international human rights norms.

The Parties shall guarantee safe and non discriminatory access to all regions of [state].

The Parties shall ensure that all [refugees / IDPs / displaced persons] enjoy access to essential services without discrimination. The Parties agree that all returnees and resettled persons will have unhindered access to adequate healthcare, education, and social services.

Where necessary, the Parties will facilitate humanitarian assistance to [refugees / IDPs / displaced persons] until state services are fully restored.

The Parties are committed to providing targeted support to vulnerable groups, including women, children, the elderly, and persons with disabilities.

The Parties commit to fostering reconciliation and social cohesion between returnees, host communities, and other affected populations. To this end, the Parties shall:

[Promote community dialogue initiatives to address grievances and build trust;]

[Implement non discriminatory policies that encourage coexistence and participation;]

[Support traditional and community based conflict resolution mechanisms;]

[Provide training for local authorities and law enforcement to ensure the protection of returnees and host communities.]

The Parties agree to support the economic reintegration of [refugees / IDPs / displaced persons] through employment, livelihoods, and development programs. The Parties shall:

[Ensure displaced persons have equal access to employment opportunities and vocational training;]

[Develop programs to support small businesses and entrepreneurship for returnees;]

[Facilitate access to land, credit, and markets;]

[Work with international organizations and private sectors to create economic opportunities.]

In order to create the conditions for the return of [refugees / IDPs / displaced persons], the Parties commit to undertake an assessment of the level of damage to the economic and social infrastructure of [region / state], the availability of housing and the extent of damage to houses in the areas of return as well as the projected needs in rehabilitation/reconstruction, with financial implications.

The [government] shall decide on the activities for the resettlement and integration of [refugees / IDPs / displaced persons] taking into account the availability of resources, in order to achieve the following objectives:

[To ensure the socio economic and administrative reintegration of the [refugees / IDPs / displaced persons];]

[To give all returning families, including female and child headed families, food aid, material support and assistance with health, education, agriculture and reconstruction until they become self sufficient;]

[To provide municipalities, villages, and other local communities with assistance in the reconstruction of community infrastructures and with support for income generating activities, paying special attention to women and enhancing their roles in building and sustaining families and communities;]

[To settle all those who believe that they cannot yet return on sites close to home, in order to enable them to go and till their fields initially and return to their land later on;]

[To encourage, to the extent possible, grouped housing in the reconstruction policy in order to free cultivable land;]

[To ensure equity in the distribution of resources between the ethnic groups on the one hand and the provinces on the other, and to avoid overlap between the various parties involved;]

[To promote the participation of the population in the resettlement activities;]

[To help returnees to recover the property and bank accounts left in [state] before their exile and whose existence has been duly proven;]

[To offer intensive language courses for returnees to mitigate the language problems;]

[To assist returnees in other areas such as medical services, psycho social support, social security and retirement, education of children and the equivalency of diplomas awarded outside [state].]

The Parties recognize the psychological and social impact of displacement and commit to providing appropriate psychosocial support to affected individuals. The Parties shall create programs for training healthcare professionals and social workers in trauma informed care and providing special support for children, survivors of sexual and gender based violence, and other vulnerable groups. The Parties will facilitate community healing initiatives, including cultural and traditional practices.

The Parties agree to work with the international community to provide all possible assistance to [refugees / IDPs / displaced persons] to enable the returning families and individuals to reestablish their lives and livelihoods in local communities.

[This assistance shall include, but not be limited to, short term repatriation funding, ensuring the continuity of humanitarian aid throughout the return and resettlement period, rebuilding damaged or destroyed infrastructure, reconstruction and restoration of permanent housing and other property of [refugees / IDPs / displaced persons] planning to return or be resettled, building new roads and infrastructure in rural areas, rehabilitating local agrarian lands, and providing education and job training programs].

The Parties agree to request the international community to provide financial, technical, and material support and resources to ensure that the voluntary return and resettlement processes takes place fully, efficiently, and with respect to the dignity and safety of returnees.

The Parties commit to granting national and international aid organizations full [land, air, and sea] access [to all territories and] [refugees / IDPs / displaced persons] to implement the voluntary return and resettlement programs, within the framework of ratified international agreements, and in accordance with [state] law.

The Parties further agree to refrain from levying taxes on workers, goods, or services provided by foreign governments or domestic or international aid organizations, within the framework of national laws and regulations and international agreements.

The Parties commit to protecting the safety and security of all foreign government staff and employees, as well as national and international aid workers and equipment thereof.

The Parties will cooperate with neighbouring states and international organizations to facilitate the voluntary return of refugees in accordance with international norms. Such cooperation may include entering into agreements with host states [and international organizations] to ensure safe and dignified return of refugees and to coordinate efforts to provide travel documents and information sharing.

[State] shall establish and constitute a Commission for Displaced Persons, which shall have the mandate of organizing and coordinating, together with international organizations and countries of asylum, the return of [refugees / IDPs / displaced persons] and assisting in their resettlement and reintegration.

The Commission will be comprised [of two representatives from each Party, two representatives designated by the displaced persons population, one representative from [a strategic state] and two representatives of donors, cooperating entities and international agencies or as determined by the parties].

The Commission’s composition shall ensure an equitable gender balance [and designate committees responsible for addressing questions specific to women and girls.]

The Parties agree that there shall be established a [Fund] to solicit, raise and collect funds from domestic and international donors and disburse such funds for the reconstruction and rehabilitation of the infrastructure, for the resettlement and reintegration of [refugees / IDPs / displaced persons], and to address past imbalances in regional development and infrastructure.