ZAGREB, Dec 14 (Hina) - The Croatian parliament's House of Representatives on Thursday evening endorsed a draft police law by a majority vote. This law envisages that the police should be arranged as a public service entrusted with
the task to protect people and property. During the parliamentary debate, representatives of the benches supported the Government's intention to professionalise the re-organisation of the police. Most of objections of the deputies referred to their fear that this act would not solve the issue of de-politicising the police. On behalf of the Croatian Party of Rights/ the Croatian Christian Democratic Union (HSP/HKDU), Anto Djapic, criticised that the "politicising of the police is coming from top levels which is obvious in various scandals." However, Djapic agreed that this law was acceptable ad professionally drawn up. On behalf of the HDZ (Croatian Democratic Union) bench, Ivan Jarnjak, advocated
ZAGREB, Dec 14 (Hina) - The Croatian parliament's House of
Representatives on Thursday evening endorsed a draft police law by
a majority vote.
This law envisages that the police should be arranged as a public
service entrusted with the task to protect people and property.
During the parliamentary debate, representatives of the benches
supported the Government's intention to professionalise the re-
organisation of the police.
Most of objections of the deputies referred to their fear that this
act would not solve the issue of de-politicising the police.
On behalf of the Croatian Party of Rights/ the Croatian Christian
Democratic Union (HSP/HKDU), Anto Djapic, criticised that the
"politicising of the police is coming from top levels which is
obvious in various scandals."
However, Djapic agreed that this law was acceptable ad
professionally drawn up.
On behalf of the HDZ (Croatian Democratic Union) bench, Ivan
Jarnjak, advocated the adoption of another package of laws which
would supplement or be adjusted to this act on police. He suggested
the passage of laws on the interior ministry, and on the protection
and secrecy of personal data, on minor offences and on national
security.
His proposal was supported by the HSP/HKDU bench and a part of the
Istrian Democratic Alliance (IDS).
On behalf of the Democratic Centre (DC), Vesna Skare Ozbolt said she
could not see "any trace of the depoliticising of the police" in
this draft law but she admitted that "the law is going towards
democratic standards, but does not approach them too much."
This party also advocated that the head of the police should be
chosen in the public competition rather than on the proposal of
Interior Minister. This amendment was rejected by the Government.
On behalf of the IDS bench, Petar Turcinovic proposed to the
Government to prepare as soon as possible a law on the secrecy and
protection of personal data and that in this context the notion
'personal data' should be defined.
The benches of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and the Croatian
Peasants' Party (HSS) supported the bill with no major objections.
The Croatian Social Liberal Party (HSLS) bench believed that the
police bill did not ensure the necessary democratic control over
the police. It suggested that authorities at county and local
levels should give opinions on possible superintendents of police
stations and departments before their appointment.
The lower house of the Sabor discontinued the session on Thursday
evening and will convene tomorrow.
(hina) ms