SABOR DISCUSSES THREE BILLS ON LIABILITY OF STATE FOR DAMAGE

ZAGREB, Jan 30 (Hina) - The Croatian parliament has started a discussion on three government-sponsored bills: on Croatia's liability for damage caused by members of its military and police forces during the Homeland War, damage caused in the former Yugoslavia which the former state was liable for and damage caused by terrorist acts and public protests. #L# Deputy Justice Minister Miljenko Kovac said the domestic judiciary lacked laws regulating the state's responsibility for damage. He added that Croatia was exposed to increasing international pressures, particularly due to a large number of lawsuits filed by Croatian citizens with the European Court for Human Rights. Speaking about damage caused during the Homeland War, Kovac said the bill did not include the term war damage because Croatia did not have to pay compensation, i.e. could not be responsible for damage caused during war conflicts. With regard to damage caused in the former Yugoslav federation, Croatia would be responsible for it if the injured party is its citizen. In that process, regulations which were effective at the time damage was caused would be applied and there would be no encroachment on Croatia's right to seek compensation from other successor-countries. Croatia will not give up any of its claims from succession talks either. The bill on damage caused by terrorist acts envisages that the responsibility of the state is objective, i.e. damage would be established in line with the principle of solidarity and for humanitarian reasons. The bill only envisages compensation for death, grave physical injuries and damage to one's health, with the overall compensation not exceeding the amount of 350,000 kuna. (hina) rml sb