MESIC MEETS OUTGOING HEAD OF OHCHR IN ZAGREB

ZAGREB, Dec 28 (Hina) - Croatian President Stjepan Mesic on Saturday met the outgoing head of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in Croatia, Juan Pablo Ordonez. #L# The President's Office quoted Ordonez as saying that the OHCHR was closing down after nine years, but he was very pleased that the newly-established Human Rights Centre would continue its task of monitoring the human rights situation in the country as an independent institution. The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights appreciates very much President Mesic's commitment to the protection of human rights, but expects human rights in the country to be protected more consistently, Ordonez said. Expressing satisfaction with the establishment of the Human Rights Centre, Mesic said the judicial system as well as the non-selective application of laws and the protection of national minorities played an important role in the protection of human rights. In that regard, guilt must be individualised, both in Croatia and other countries, he said. (hina) rml