ZAGREB, Feb 21 (Hina) - The Croatian National Parliament's lower house's labour, social policy and public health committee on Monday discussed a report of care for displaced persons, refugees and returnees. After representatives of
associations of displaced persons, refugees and returnees notified the House of Representatives committee of the burning problems they are facing, the Public Works, Reconstruction and Construction Minister Radimir Cacic said a level of aid for the displaced and refugees should not be reduced, nor should the intensity of the return of process be lessened. "However, this does not mean that the revision of rights is not necessary, as there are thousands of usurpers who appropriated estate of others, and they are neither displaced persons, nor refugees or war veterans," the minister added. This must be stopped and the rule of law must start functioning, Cacic said. He underlin
ZAGREB, Feb 21 (Hina) - The Croatian National Parliament's lower
house's labour, social policy and public health committee on Monday
discussed a report of care for displaced persons, refugees and
returnees.
After representatives of associations of displaced persons,
refugees and returnees notified the House of Representatives
committee of the burning problems they are facing, the Public
Works, Reconstruction and Construction Minister Radimir Cacic said
a level of aid for the displaced and refugees should not be reduced,
nor should the intensity of the return of process be lessened.
"However, this does not mean that the revision of rights is not
necessary, as there are thousands of usurpers who appropriated
estate of others, and they are neither displaced persons, nor
refugees or war veterans," the minister added.
This must be stopped and the rule of law must start functioning,
Cacic said.
He underlined the stance of the Government that all citizens of
Croatia, regardless of their nationality, must have equal rights -
to their own property, return and work.
"This topic has been continuously raised in talks with the
international community and we must simply discontinue
discrimination against citizens according to national basis,"
Cacic said. When we settle the matter, the international community
will assist us to solve housing problems of refugees and displaced
persons, he added.
The Office for returnees, refugees and displaced persons is now
caring for 92,000 people, said the office's head, Lovre Pejkovic.
Organised accommodation is offered to some 17,200 persons in over
280 facilities. The office spends monthly about 25 million kuna,
(6.25 million German marks) for the needs of displaced persons and
refugees.
As the state failed to meet those obligations regularly last year,
its debt reached 128 million kuna (32 million marks).
This debt must be promptly settled as the entire system of care can
break down, Pejkovic said.
The Reconstruction Ministry has asked from the Government to plan
earmark 400 million kuna (100 million marks) from the state budget
in order to pay off debts and enable its services to work normally to
cover needs of refugees and returnees.
(hina) jn ms