ZAGREB, Oct 7 (Hina) - A round table discussion on the institution of Croatia's ombudsman, organised by the OSCE Mission, was held in Zagreb on Tuesday.
ZAGREB, Oct 7 (Hina) - A round table discussion on the institution
of Croatia's ombudsman, organised by the OSCE Mission, was held in
Zagreb on Tuesday. #L#
Participants discussed the implementation of recommendations from
an analysis on the institution of ombudsman, made by an OSCE
(Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe) expert, John
Hucker.
Hucker, a law professor and former secretary-general of the
Canadian human rights commission, presented the basic elements of
his analysis.
Hucker recommends that the Croatian government should increase
funds for the Office of Ombudsman so that it could intensify its
activities outside Zagreb. He also proposes a review of the
existing law on the ombudsman with the aim of strengthening his
authorities in the protection of human rights, and recommends that
other ombudsmen (such as those for children and women) should act
within the existing Office of the Ombudsman.
The Canadian expert described the work of the Croatian ombudsman in
the last ten years as impressive. He urged taking a more active role
in the Croatian parliament and international human rights
organisations, as well as opening more to the media.
Hucker advocates closer cooperation between the ombudsman and the
Croatian government's human rights office, which he said should
transfer complaints about breaches of human rights to the Office of
the Ombudsman.
The round table discussion was attended by workers from the
Croatian Ombudsman's Office, OSCE Mission representatives,
Croatian MPs and representatives of ethnic minorities, non-
governmental organisations, and the Office of the Croatian
President.
(hina) ms sb