UN'S ROBINSON URGES CROATIA TO STRENGTHEN HUMAN RIGHTS

ZAGREB, May 11 (Hina) - The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Mary Robinson, on Tuesday called on Croatian authorities to strengthen human rights and step up the refugee return. Robinson spoke to reporters in Zagreb at the end of her three-day visit to Croatia, during which she met representatives of humanitarian and non-government organisations. The UN official said she expressed dissatisfaction during talks with Croatian government officials due to the slow implementation of a programme for the return of refugees and displaced persons, particularly on account of the bureaucratic and legal obstacles stalling a speedier return. The talks also tackled ownership issues, the amnesty law, war crimes, and discrimination issues, she said. Robinson said she will not fail to include in her report a Sunday incident which took place during a protest rally in Zagreb. She assessed the police backfired in their task. The police were notified about the May 9 rally, which a committee advocating that Croatian Greats Square be given back its original name, Fascism Victims Square, organised on the day of victory over fascism. Robinson said the police did not take steps to protect the protesters and their right to protest. She added she would notify high-ranking UN High Commissioner for Human Rights officials about the incident. The event is cause for concern, regardless of its being either a lack of political will or political guidelines which, Robinson concluded, would be very worrying. Speaking about the entire region, Robinson said would point to the potentially dangerous effects of the Kosovo refugee crisis during her talks with the UN Secretary-General. The UN official also said she would at the Geneva May 13 meeting of UN agencies dealing with the Kosovo crisis point to the fact that building tolerance in the region calls for international community assistance. (hina) ha jn