After some nongovernmental organisations pointed to an increase in ethnically-motivated violence against Serbs, the parliamentary Human Rights Committee, at the proposal of the SDSS, requested a report from the Interior Ministry, which the latter submitted two weeks ago.
At yesterday's parliamentary committee session, HDZ deputies were against discussing only violence against Serbs saying that it constituted the manipulation by one ethnic minority and an attempt to "aggravate the situation for Croatia at this difficult moment".
Revolted by the position of its coalition partner, the SDSS asked that the item be taken off the agenda and walked out of the session.
At today's press conference, they said their only intention was to have deputies help the police, the judiciary and local communities fight the problem.
Milorad Pupovac said yesterday's session was also attended by representatives of some international organisations.
He added the SDSS would no longer move discussing this issue and said the HDZ would be responsible for the future efficiency of the judiciary and the police as well as respect for the law.
Asked if yesterday's session would bring into question the SDSS' support to the government, Pupovac voiced hope Prime Minister Ivo Sanader would realise that yesterday's obstruction by HDZ deputies was also an obstruction of his cabinet and himself.