ZAGREB, May 8 (Hina) - The Croatian National Parliament House of Counties on Tuesday refused to include into its agenda motioned amendments to the Constitutional Law on Minorities, asking that the procedure of their passing be
repeated. The House thus recognised the assessment by the Parliament's Committee for the Constitution and Rule Book that the House of Representatives had acted against the Constitution when it decided the Constitutional Law should be amended, without previously requesting the opinion of the Upper House. The House of Counties accepted the motion by Tereza Ganza-Aras (Liberal Party) that the Committee discusses the idea that a constitutional complaint be filed regarding the case. Commenting on the conduct of the Upper House, Arlovic told reporters this was an attempt to obstruct the work of the Lower House and to aggravate the authorities' efforts in entering the Partnership
ZAGREB, May 8 (Hina) - The Croatian National Parliament House of
Counties on Tuesday refused to include into its agenda motioned
amendments to the Constitutional Law on Minorities, asking that the
procedure of their passing be repeated.
The House thus recognised the assessment by the Parliament's
Committee for the Constitution and Rule Book that the House of
Representatives had acted against the Constitution when it decided
the Constitutional Law should be amended, without previously
requesting the opinion of the Upper House.
The House of Counties accepted the motion by Tereza Ganza-Aras
(Liberal Party) that the Committee discusses the idea that a
constitutional complaint be filed regarding the case.
Commenting on the conduct of the Upper House, Arlovic told
reporters this was an attempt to obstruct the work of the Lower
House and to aggravate the authorities' efforts in entering the
Partnership for Peace programme and other associations.
With such an act, the House of Counties has given a negative opinion
"not only to the form, but also the content" of the amendments.
Claiming the Lower House had not made a mistake in the process,
Arlovic said amendments to the Constitutional Law on Minorities was
not adopted by proceedings envisaged for amendments to the
Constitution, but as a system law. This law had once been adopted
and amended in 1995 according to this, Arlovic said, expressing
conviction that despite everything, the amendments would be
adopted with the necessary two-third majority of votes.
According to constitutional provisions, a constitutional law is
adopted under proceedings envisaged for amendments to the
Constitution, and the Lower House needs a prior opinion by the House
of Counties to decide whether to approach amending the Constitution
or the Constitutional Law, Zvonimir Puljic said on behalf of the
Committee for the Constitution.
Jovan Bamburac (appointed MP) also suggested the motioned
amendments not be included into the agenda.
Recalling consultations with the Serb People's Council and other
Serb associations, he said he saw no urgency for the adoption of the
amendments.
It would be good if the law was passed by consensus following an
extensive discussion in which members of national minorities would
take part.
The Upper House began a discussion on amendments to the Law on
Reconstruction, but because MPs were disappointed their session
was not being televised, they decided not to continue the
discussion.
(hina) lml jn