ZAGREB, Feb 12 (Hina) - The United Nations special rapporteur for human rights in Croatia, Bosnia, and Yugoslavia on Friday told reporters in Zagreb there were two issues of concern the international community had at present with
regard to Croatia. These are the slow adjustment of legislation with European standards, and difficulties in the implementation of the refugee return to their pre-war homes, special rapporteur Jiri Dienstbier said. He said the adjustment of Croatian legislation with European standards had slowed down in the last six months. With regard to the refugee return issue, Dienstbier said the international community was receiving many complaints from the ground, adding that not even laws and programmes adopted by the government and parliament were implemented on local level. The special rapporteur said ownership rights represented one of the biggest problems. He remind
ZAGREB, Feb 12 (Hina) - The United Nations special rapporteur for
human rights in Croatia, Bosnia, and Yugoslavia on Friday told
reporters in Zagreb there were two issues of concern the
international community had at present with regard to Croatia.
These are the slow adjustment of legislation with European
standards, and difficulties in the implementation of the refugee
return to their pre-war homes, special rapporteur Jiri Dienstbier
said.
He said the adjustment of Croatian legislation with European
standards had slowed down in the last six months.
With regard to the refugee return issue, Dienstbier said the
international community was receiving many complaints from the
ground, adding that not even laws and programmes adopted by the
government and parliament were implemented on local level.
The special rapporteur said ownership rights represented one of the
biggest problems. He reminded that during his five-day stay in
Croatia he heard several remarks that the Croatian government could
do a lot more if considerably assisted economically by the
international community, including through access to the PHARE
programme and higher foreign investments.
Dienstbier emphasised that no foreign investments could be
expected if ownership rights were not fully complied with, because,
he added, ownership rights are very important to investors.
Speaking about the freedom of the media in Croatia, Dienstbier
mentioned a Tuesday television broadcast about meetings the
tripartite international delegation, which included
representatives from the Council of Europe, the UN, and the
Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe, had with the
Croatian President and Premier.
Dienstbier said the broadcast presented everything from the
government's point of view, despite the international delegation's
high level of criticism during the talks.
Touching upon Croatia's promises of changes in electoral
legislation, Dienstbier said it was obvious that Croatian citizens
living abroad have the right to vote, but pointed out it was
untypical to have lists of candidates from other parts of the
world.
(hina) ha