LOWER HOUSE DISCUSSES ANTI-CORRUPTION BILL

ZAGREB, March 22 (Hina) - The Croatian parliament's House of Representatives on Thursday discussed a draft act on the establishment of an office for the prevention of corruption and organised crime named "USKOK". Deputy Justice Minister Ranko Marijan recalled that the adoption of the law on USKOK was Croatia's commitment to respect conventions of the UN and Council of Europe. The law defines the purpose and functions of the Office as a separate unit inside the State Prosecutor's Office. The draft act contains provisions about the position of repentant criminals and the protection of witnesses in a more comprehensive manner in contrast to the existent Penal Code. Marijan said remarks and objections expressed during the parliamentary debate and in the public should be incorporated in the text of the law. In this context he mentioned the suggestion about the mechanism for prevention of encroaching on human rights and civic liberties in regard to the fact that USKOK was defined as a special body with preventive and repressive actions. The incumbent government has ensured some 6.5 million kuna (1.625 million German marks) from this year's budget for the start of the work of that office. (hina) sb ms