OSCE MISSION SUPPORTS CONSTITUTIONAL COURT'S ROLE

ZAGREB, June 17 (Hina) - The OSCE Mission to Croatia supports the important role of the Constitutional Court and is surprised that the president of the Association of Croatian Judges (UHS) used its draft report on the fulfilment of international obligations taken on by Croatia to support his negative comments about the activities of the Court. #L# The OSCE Mission noted in a press release on Tuesday it had learned of Vladimir Gredelj's negative comments on the work of the Constitutional Court from the media. The statements referring to the Constitutional Court that were allegedly made by Gredelj are not a true reflection of the Mission's basically positive observations about the role of the Court as an institution protecting fundamental human rights and freedoms, the Mission said. The draft report notes in a positive way the increased activity of the Court in resolving problems of unjustified delays in lower- level courts. However, it was also noted that the majority of flaws in the court's work are related to factors beyond the court's control. The OSCE notes that the failure of the government and judicial institutions to respect the Court's rulings could bring its role into question. The OSCE is concerned about the Court being overloaded with a growing number of constitutional complaints due to lengthy proceedings. The press release notes that due to the significant role of the Court the OSCE Mission ensured financial assistance from the Norwegian government to develop a system of informing the public about the court's work through the press and electronic media. The Mission notes that it sent the draft report to the Croatian government unofficially so that it could obtain the government's stand before drafting the final version. Gredelj told a press conference today that his assessments about the inefficiency of the Constitutional Court were based on the OSCE's draft annual report. (hina) sp rml