STAZIC: OMBUDSMAN TOO POLITICAL

ZAGREB, July 9 (Hina) - At a session of the parliamentary committee for the Constitution, Rule Book and Poltical System on Tuesday, Nenad Stazic, a member of the committee (Social Democratic Party MP - SDP) accused the State Ombudsman Ante Klaric for transgressing into the field of political activity instead of advocating human rights. Stazic questioned whether Klaric could therefore continue performing his duties. #L# The committee discussed a supplementary report by Ombudsman Ante Klaric as well as a response by the government about the reasons that ministries did not take action in certain cases as was noted in an annual report on the state of human rights submitted by Klaric. Stazic believes that Klaric should not make general evaluations about the state of human rights and social circumstances in Croatia based on data at his disposal as the Ombudsman. Klaric replied that he was prepared to accept any demand to have him recalled and that he was prepared to bare this, defending the dignity of a man who is the victim of politics and politicking. He emphasised that the evaluation of the state in human rights in Croatia was brought on the basis of the facts relating to the number of the unemployed and other indicators. Outgoing Deputy Prime Minister Zeljko Antunovic (SDP) stressed that the Government proposed measures for co-operation so that the problems noted in the Annual Report by the Ombdusman, could be removed. She added that beaurocracy often threatened human rights and that is one of the weak points of a beurocrati country. Another committee member, Luka Trconic (Croatian Peasants' Party - HSS), emphasised that there was no need for too much sensitivity to Klaric's report because it was possible to align it with advocay for human rights. Klaric gained support by both the previous and current governments and was given a vote of full confidence by the Sabor and the public. The committee proposed a conclusion by wich the Ombudsman would have 30 days to submit a report in response to the Government and to consider any possible changes requried to the Law on the State Ombudsman so that the institution could strengthen its position in protecting human rights. The committee inspected a series of criticisms in the Report on the Activities of the Board of Directors of Croatian Radio- Television. It was also proposed to support the Statute of the Croatian News Agency (HINA). The committee will discuss and vote on each of these points in the afternoon session of the meeting. (hina) lml sb