OPATIJA, Dec 6 (Hina) - Some 400 participants in the 16th symposium of the Croatian Association of Criminal Science and Practice on Saturday agreed that the recently annulled amendments to the Penal Code should be re-introduced, as
they served as a basis for Croatia's answers to the European Commission's questionnaire.
OPATIJA, Dec 6 (Hina) - Some 400 participants in the 16th symposium
of the Croatian Association of Criminal Science and Practice on
Saturday agreed that the recently annulled amendments to the Penal
Code should be re-introduced, as they served as a basis for
Croatia's answers to the European Commission's questionnaire. #L#
In July, parliament adopted the new amendments to the Penal Code,
but in late November, the Constitutional Court abolished the Law on
Amendments to the Penal Code, because it was not adopted with the
necessary majority of votes of parliamentary deputies. According
to the Court's explanation, this is an organic law, and therefore
its adoption requires the votes of over half of all MPs.
The said amendments were necessary so as to adjust the national
Penal Code to European standards.
Legal experts, who convened in Opatija for the three-day symposium,
believe that the annulled amendments should serve as a basis for the
next alteration of the Penal Code, which should soon be adopted with
the necessary number of votes of MPs.
Davor Derencinovic, a professor from the Zagreb-based law school,
insists that it is important to re-adopt a part of the annulled
provisions defining criminal offences in accordance with the
Statute of the permanent International Criminal Court (ICC),
including a crime against humanity and superior responsibility.
His colleague from the law school, Professor Ivo Josipovic, says
Croatia has not been bound to take over the definition of criminal
offences from the ICC Statute and input in its legislation, but it
was good to do so, as this is expected of all countries in transition
which are EU hopefuls.
Josipovic hopes that the law on the implementation of the ICC
Statute would not be rescinded as this law, according to him, is in
Croatia's interest and clearly stipulates Zagreb's cooperation
with international courts, including the Hague-based tribunal.
The tree-day seminar, which was held this year under the title "The
Proposed Croatian Penal Code, Old Dilemmas, New Disputes and Public
Support", wrapped up on Saturday in the Adriatic resort of
Opatija.
(hina) ms