ZAGREB, June 24 (Hina) - Should the ombudsman give assessments of the progress of the human rights situation or lack thereof is the question which divided Croatian MPs in Tuesday's debate on the ombudsman's report for 2002 which,
unlike past ones, does not contain political assessments.
ZAGREB, June 24 (Hina) - Should the ombudsman give assessments of
the progress of the human rights situation or lack thereof is the
question which divided Croatian MPs in Tuesday's debate on the
ombudsman's report for 2002 which, unlike past ones, does not
contain political assessments. #L#
The absence of criticism of the government regarding the human
rights situation is likely the result of "agreement between the
authorities and the ombudsman," said Branimir Glavas of the
Croatian Democratic Union. Jadranka Kosor of the same party asked
why ombudsman Ante Klaric was refraining from making any
assessments and proposing measures.
Do not refrain from making assessments, regardless of how
authorities will change, said Drazen Budisa of the Social
Liberals.
Nenad Stazic of the Social Democrats said the 2002 report was better
and more balanced that the one for 2001 because there were no
"untrue accusations that the authorities" were not reacting to the
ombudsman's complaints.
Most benches agreed that despite the smaller number of complaints
lodged with the ombudsman last year, human rights continue to be
violated. Most complaints refer to the inefficiency of the
judiciary, it was said during the debate.
In connection with complaints that tenancy rights restitution
applications were not being cleared, Damir Kajin of the Istrian
Democratic Assembly urged the government to submit a list of
occupied property, with data on the financial status of persons
temporarily occupying others' houses and flats. He highlighted the
report's assessment that the housing fund in some formerly war-
struck areas was "managed by the Mafia".
A number of benches drew attention to data about the worrying
situation in Croatian prisons. The jail in Gospic, for example, has
30 percent more inmates than its capacity allows, said Budisa.
Opposition benches, the HDZ and the Democratic Centre among them,
were appalled at data that the war veterans' ministry was not
implementing Administrative Court decisions and even commented on
court rulings.
Most benches were agreed the Ombudsman's Office should be given
more funds. The opposition said funds should come from the state
budget and definitely not from foreign donations.
Ombudsman Klaric should comment on the accusations and suggestions
above in the continuation of the debate.
(hina) ha sb