ZAGREB, Dec 15 (Hina) - The Immigrants and Settlers of Croatia Community hopes its impending convention will be a watershed in its work as, they said on Friday, they have not moved anywhere since they were brought and left in areas of
special government concern. President Tomo Aracic said the Community gathers 25 associations with about 50,000 members. At Monday's convention, they will urge representatives of the government, parliament, and the international community to provide concrete solutions to their issues. The immigrants and settlers, mostly from neighbouring Bosnia, live in extreme social conditions in areas of special government concern, especially elderly people whom Croatia will not pay pensions they earned in Bosnia when it was a constituent republic in the former Yugoslav federation, said Aracic. Children are also in a difficult position as they have inadequate education and soc
ZAGREB, Dec 15 (Hina) - The Immigrants and Settlers of Croatia
Community hopes its impending convention will be a watershed in its
work as, they said on Friday, they have not moved anywhere since
they were brought and left in areas of special government concern.
President Tomo Aracic said the Community gathers 25 associations
with about 50,000 members. At Monday's convention, they will urge
representatives of the government, parliament, and the
international community to provide concrete solutions to their
issues.
The immigrants and settlers, mostly from neighbouring Bosnia, live
in extreme social conditions in areas of special government
concern, especially elderly people whom Croatia will not pay
pensions they earned in Bosnia when it was a constituent republic in
the former Yugoslav federation, said Aracic.
Children are also in a difficult position as they have inadequate
education and social welfare. Nobody from international
humanitarian organisations active in these areas cares for the
Bosnian Croat immigrants, he added.
A recently conducted poll showed that more 98 percent of the
Community does not want to return to Bosnia, its Serb entity in
particular, owing to non-existent return conditions.
Community member Branko Gudec said areas of special government
concern were ruled by utter insecurity and chaos, especially in
connection with housing.
"Local government and self-government, as well as courts, behave
bureaucratically and arrogantly, paying no need to housing
solutions offered by the ministries. The rule of law doesn't
function and the police are often confused and doubting," he said.
(hina) ha