TWO NGOS REPORT HEAD OF JUDGES ASSOCIATION TO STATE PROSECUTOR

ZAGREB, Nov 14 (Hina) - Two non-government organisations, the Centre for Democratic Development (CERD) and the Civic Resistance to Injustice and Violence (GON), have reported the president of the Croatian Judges Association (UHS), Vladimir Gredelj, and UHS member Ksenija Zorc to the Chief State Prosecutor for instigating ethnic intolerance and hatred and discrimination, and compromising the reputation and honour of the judicial profession. #L# The two NGOs on Thursday issued a statement noting that by commenting on the candidacy of the late Milos Vojnovic for a county court judge, Gredelj and Zorc stated that his appointment would be tantamount to appointing a Taleban into the US judicial system. The NGOs state that the criteria of the UHS, "which is more a political than a professional association", do not guarantee the protection of the constitutional order, particularly of the citizens' constitutional rights which eliminate any form of discrimination on ethnic, religious or other grounds. CERD has therefore urged the Justice Ministry to examine if the activities of the UHS are in line with the judicial profession and how they reflect on the independence of the judiciary. (hina) rml sb