ZAGREB, April 26 (Hina) - The United Nations special envoy for human rights, Jiri Dienstbier, said in Zagreb on Wednesday he was satisfied with the new Croatian government's willingness to replace an authoritarian regime with normal
democracy. Croatia's democratisation process is progressing well after January's elections, Dienstbier told reporters after extensive talks with Deputy Premier Zeljka Antunovic. "Even though viewed long-term it will be difficult, the new government's will is clear (...) to seriously initiate changes in view of replacing an authoritarian regime with a normal democratic regime, like the one we have in the Czech Republic and in other countries," said Dienstbier, who is on a two-day visit to Croatia. In his report to the UN Commission for Human Rights, which convened in Geneva on March 20, the Czech diplomat criticised slowness in refugee returns in Croatia and Bosnia-Herzegovina
ZAGREB, April 26 (Hina) - The United Nations special envoy for human
rights, Jiri Dienstbier, said in Zagreb on Wednesday he was
satisfied with the new Croatian government's willingness to
replace an authoritarian regime with normal democracy.
Croatia's democratisation process is progressing well after
January's elections, Dienstbier told reporters after extensive
talks with Deputy Premier Zeljka Antunovic.
"Even though viewed long-term it will be difficult, the new
government's will is clear (...) to seriously initiate changes in
view of replacing an authoritarian regime with a normal democratic
regime, like the one we have in the Czech Republic and in other
countries," said Dienstbier, who is on a two-day visit to Croatia.
In his report to the UN Commission for Human Rights, which convened
in Geneva on March 20, the Czech diplomat criticised slowness in
refugee returns in Croatia and Bosnia-Herzegovina, saying they
were the result of insufficient political will. Dienstbier then
pointed to a "surprisingly" poor return of Serbs.
Diensbier is to hold a press conference in Zagreb for tomorrow. He
last visited Croatia in late January, shortly after parliamentary
elections were held.
Deputy Premier Antunovic said the Croatian side had notified the UN
envoy about the new government's determination to protect human
rights, "not because someone asks us to, but because we want to live
in such a country."
The first step to that effect will be the eradication of illegal
occupancy of property owned by others, to be followed by equality
for all, Antunovic said.
"The next step will be to ensure equality for all and to ensure
elementary human rights for all," she added.
Dienstbier today also visited the Croatian Foreign Ministry.
(hina) ha jn