HUMAN RIGHTS ARE CENTRE OF DEMOCRATIC SOCIETY

ROME, Nov 3 (Hina) - Human rights in today's world do not represent only a moral obligation of respecting the rights of others, but are becoming an issue of security, a fast economic development and political stability, Croatian Foreign Minister Tonino Picula said at Friday's ministerial conference at the 50th anniversary of the signing of a Charter on Human Rights in Rome, gathering representatives of 41 Council of Europe member countries and nine observer countries. Picula stressed the respect of human rights was a foundation for the normal functioning of any democratic society. It is thus the obligation of all of us to guarantee their effectual protection, primarily via the complete application of laws guaranteeing the basic freedoms and rights for all citizens, he stressed. Following a comprehensive approach to the issue of human rights protection, Picula spoke about the situation in Croatia. "After this year's elections in Croatia, particular attention had been paid to the protection of human rights. Croatia has achieved significant progress in the respect of basic human and democratic rights and in the introduction of a law-based state, which the Council of Europe has recognised and finally ceasing the monitoring process," Picula said. Croatia is passing laws according to the Council of Europe giving further security to minorities and is generally protecting the rights of people, Picula said. Heading a Croatian delegation, Picula also attended an audience with Pope John Paul II in the Vatican. (hina) lml