ZAGREB, March 14 (Hina) - The latest Progress Report of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Mission to Croatia notes as positive the adoption of new laws and public statements by state officials and
representatives of the state administration, but also notes there has been no progress as regards refugee return and property restitution, OSCE Mission head Bernard Poncet told a news conference at the OSCE Mission headquarters in Zagreb on Wednesday.
ZAGREB, March 14 (Hina) - The latest Progress Report of the
Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Mission
to Croatia notes as positive the adoption of new laws and public
statements by state officials and representatives of the state
administration, but also notes there has been no progress as
regards refugee return and property restitution, OSCE Mission head
Bernard Poncet told a news conference at the OSCE Mission
headquarters in Zagreb on Wednesday. #L#
The OSCE Mission issues its reports every four months. Poncet will
present the latest, eighth report, before the OSCE Permanent
Council in Vienna on March 22.
According to Poncet, the most important events in the past period
include the reaction of the Croatian political leadership to the
rallies protesting the possibility of prosecuting participants in
the Homeland War who are suspected of war crimes.
The authorities rejected calls for the government to intervene in
court proceedings, thus clearly expressing full support for
independent judiciary and the rule of law and endorsing at the same
time the right to peaceful assembly, Poncet said.
Other positive steps the Mission noted include the Croatian
government's pledging to respect international human rights
standards at the Zagreb Summit, a stable security situation in the
country, improved quality of regular police work with ongoing
reforms in the Interior Ministry and the adoption of a new law on
Croatian Radio Television (HRT), as well as calls for the speedy
adoption of a law on telecommunications and better implementation
of the Amnesty Act.
However, the Mission must also report that the main problem from the
last Progress Report, the return of refugees, is still present, the
French diplomat told reporters, adding there had not been more
significant returns either from or to Croatia.
Much remains to be done in resolving the most important issues such
as property restitution, the reconstruction of houses, the renewal
of tenancy rights and the implementation of a law adjustment act in
the segment concerning pensions and employment.
All these questions have a direct impact on the return and
reintegration of a large number of Croatian Serbs and that is why
this is a very important task the Government is facing in the coming
period, Poncet said.
The OSCE Mission holds the government's draft amendment to the Law
on Areas of Special State Concern an incomplete answer to those
questions, Poncet said, adding the draft was also not in accordance
with international legal standards.
The OSCE Mission especially disagrees with a government regulation
of February on conditions and criteria concerning accommodation in
areas of special state concern, because the regulation still
requires, contrary to the Mission's recommendations, that the
exercising of the right to private property be made conditional on
finding alternative accommodation for persons currently occupying
other people's property.
The Mission believes the right to private property, regardless of
the actual circumstances somebody may find himself in, must have
priority over the provision of alternative accommodation. The
Croatian government has also been recommended to provide
alternative accommodation only for persons who are socially or
financially deprived, whereas all others should provide for
themselves on their own.
(hina) rml