STRASBOURG, April 29 (Hina) - The Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly on Thursday unanimously adopted a report by its Monitoring Committee on Croatia and a resolution and recommendation to the ministerial committee applauding the
progress Croatia has achieved in fulfilling its commitments. Croatia was asked to continue the progress with respect to fulfilling obligations in the reform of its electoral system, the constitutional protection of minorities and the freedom of the media. The Parliamentary Assembly hailed Croatia's progress achieved in fulfilling its commitments since it joined this organisation in November 1996, especially concerning the ratification of Council of Europe conventions. The Assembly also applauded Croatia's cooperation with Council of Europe experts on the preparation and drafting of laws, as well as the cooperation between the Croatian Constitutional Court and the
STRASBOURG, April 29 (Hina) - The Council of Europe Parliamentary
Assembly on Thursday unanimously adopted a report by its Monitoring
Committee on Croatia and a resolution and recommendation to the
ministerial committee applauding the progress Croatia has achieved
in fulfilling its commitments.
Croatia was asked to continue the progress with respect to
fulfilling obligations in the reform of its electoral system, the
constitutional protection of minorities and the freedom of the
media.
The Parliamentary Assembly hailed Croatia's progress achieved in
fulfilling its commitments since it joined this organisation in
November 1996, especially concerning the ratification of Council
of Europe conventions.
The Assembly also applauded Croatia's cooperation with Council of
Europe experts on the preparation and drafting of laws, as well as
the cooperation between the Croatian Constitutional Court and the
Venetian Commission and Croatia's cooperation with the
International Criminal tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY).
Aware of the fact that Croatia is still faced with the consequences
of war, the Parliamentary Assembly expressed satisfaction with the
implementation of the Dayton and Erdut agreements.
Commenting on the return of refugees and displaced persons to their
homes, the Assembly suggested a number of measures Croatia's
authorities should take into account in laws and regulations on
citizenship, concerning accepting documents issued in areas
formerly under the protection of the UN and amnesty and
reconciliation programmes.
The Assembly recommended the Council of Europe's Council of
Ministers to call on member states to increase assistance for mine
clearing, as well as for the reconstruction and development of war-
ravaged areas in Croatia.
The Assembly also discussed the return of refugees to their homes in
Croatia.
Concerning Croatia's as yet unfulfilled obligations as a member of
the Council of Europe, the Assembly agreed with the Croatian
delegation on deadlines for the fulfilment of the commitments.
The electoral law should be reformed by the start of elections
envisaged for the end of this year or the beginning of next, based on
an agreement between the ruling party and the Opposition.
The Assembly suggested recommendations by international
organisations, primarily with regard to changing special rights
for the diaspora.
New regulations on local self-government which should be
harmonised with the European Charter on local self-government,
must be adopted by October 1999 at the latest, the Assembly
concluded.
Croatia is expected to improve its regulations concerning the
functioning of its legal system, as well as adopt amendments to the
Law on the State Judicial Council, by the end of April.
By the end of October, Croatia should also harmonise the suspended
provisions on human rights and the rights and freedoms of national
and ethnic minorities and communities with the recommendations of
the Council of Europe's Venetian Commission.
With regards to the freedom of the media, the Assembly recommended
that Croatia should review its decision on not privatising the
third programme of the Croatian Radio and Television.
Monopoly in the distribution of the press should be ceased.
Croatian authorities should diminish pressure on reporters, the
Assembly stressed.
Monitoring should continue for Croatia and a new report on its
fulfilment of commitments should be discussed in April 2000 at the
latest, the Assembly concluded.
(hina) lml