Particular consideration must be given to the protection of civilians in ar...

Particular consideration must be given to the protection of civilians in armed conflicts aggravated by population displacement and foreign military occupation. There is increased recognition of the need to address the impact of conflict on housing, land and property, in particular in relation to the return of internally displaced persons and refugees. More focused efforts are necessary to end illegal policies and practices in occupied territories, including forced demographic changes and the destruction and appropriation of historical and cultural heritage, as well as various forms of economic activity that directly affect the property rights of inhabitants who are considering returning to their places of origin. It is important that the recognition of the right to return, along with increased attention to its practical implementation, be applied by the international community with more systematic regularity, including concrete measures to overcome obstacles that prevent return. Ensuring the right to return is to categorically reject the gains of ethnic cleansing while at the same time offering an important measure of justice to those displaced from their homes and land and deprived of their property, thereby removing a source of possible future tension and conflict.