ZAGREB, Dec 16 (Hina) - Developments in the areas covered by the mandate of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Mission to Croatia, namely human rights, refugee return, property repossession, democratic
development and minority rights, were less evident during the second half of 2003 compared to the beginning of the year, Mission head Peter Semneby said at a news conference on Tuesday presenting the latest status report on Croatia.
ZAGREB, Dec 16 (Hina) - Developments in the areas covered by the
mandate of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe
(OSCE) Mission to Croatia, namely human rights, refugee return,
property repossession, democratic development and minority
rights, were less evident during the second half of 2003 compared to
the beginning of the year, Mission head Peter Semneby said at a news
conference on Tuesday presenting the latest status report on
Croatia. #L#
"The summer recess and the impact of elections, which dominated the
autumn agenda, offer some explanation to this," Semneby said.
Speaking about the latest Status Report on Croatia, which will be
presented at the OSCE headquarters in Vienna on Thursday, Semneby
said that the legal framework for return had improved, although it
lacked determined implementing efforts.
"The repossession of occupied private property continues, but
still at a slow speed. Still the law continues to favour occupants
over owners," Semneby said.
"The implementation of the Government's decision in June to secure
housing for occupancy/tenancy rights holders outside the Areas of
Special State Concern has not yet started."
The Mission chief also criticised the implementation of the
minority rights regime. "The Constitutional Law on the Rights of
National Minorities, adopted in December 2002 guarantees minority
representation at all levels of elected government, as well as in
the judiciary and state and local administration. However, the
minority under-representation in the administration and
judiciary, particularly of Serbs, remains significant."
Semneby described as positive the government's efforts in
assisting the re-establishment and development of civil society,
and added that the recently adopted laws on the freedom of the media
went some way towards harmonising Croatian media legislation with
European standards.
He also said that the attitude and the implemented policies of the
new government would play a significant role with regard to
Croatia's EU membership aspirations.
Asked whether the government of the Croatian Democratic Union would
mean more or less work for the OSCE, Semneby said that the first
statements of the premier-designate were encouraging and that he
was optimistic in that regard.
Semneby concluded the news conference by saying that he could not
speculate on the duration of the OSCE mission.
(hina) rml sb