During the debate, both standing and external members of the committee voiced opposition to imposing an all-out ban on rallies in St. Mark's Square.
The government has drafted amendments to the Public Assembly Act, proposing a ban on peaceful rallies and public protests held in the vicinity of guarded buildings. Prime Minister Ivo Sanader has recently said that the amendments have been formulated on the basis of recommendations from security services.
Some committee members said that so far no incident had been registered during protest rallies in St. Mark's Square, adding that citizens should not be banned from freely expressing their opinion and seeking their rights also in St. Mark's Square.
The Interior Ministry's State Secretary, Ivica Buconjic, responded to these claims, saying that security services of foreign delegations visiting the Croatian parliament and government had often protested over lack of security measures in St. Mark's Square and protestors rallying in front of the government and parliament offices.
The parliamentary committee on home affairs and national security today supported the government's amendments to the said law.
Seven members of the committee from the ranks of the ruling majority greenlighted the amendments, while five opposition MPs voted against.
Speaking to reporters after the session, committee chairman Ivan Jarnjak said that after the 11 September 2001 attacks in the United States, the world had seen increased restrictions on access to guarded objects, which he said was why Croatia should do the same.
The government's proposal has elicited strong criticisms from some trade union federations and NGOs.