OSCE MISSION: CROATIA STILL HASN'T CHANGED DISCRIMINATORY LAWS

ZAGREB, Oct 13 (Hina) - Laws discriminating people on the basis of national belonging are still in force in Croatia, the spokesman of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Mission to Croatia, Peter Palmer, said on Wednesday. Speaking at a regular press conference of the OSCE and United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees missions in Zagreb, Palmer reminded that in September, a full year had passed since a final deadline for the passing of amendments to three discriminatory laws. A refugee return programme which the Croatian government adopted in June 1998 envisages that the laws on displaced persons and refugees, on reconstruction, and on areas of special government concern must be amended within three months, namely September of that year, the OSCE Mission spokesman said. He concluded that the key factor in the evaluation of the level to which Croatia was fulfilling its international obligations was the securing of equal rights to all citizens, regardless of ethnic belonging. UNHCR Mission spokesman Andrej Mahecic also voiced dissatisfaction with the fact that the three discriminatory laws had still not been harmonised with the return programme. OSCE's Palmer today also commented on the programme of Croatian Radio and Television (HRT). The HRT was a lot more uniform than before in covering the activities of political parties in the first week of October, he said, adding this was a considerable and encouraging improvement. Palmer said the ruling Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) in some fields continued to enjoy privileged status. Members of the HDZ, especially when they appear in their functions as government or state officials, are frequently shown in a positive context in features which, Palmer said, cover less important events, such as the opening of new buildings or roads for example. Palmer also pointed out that Croatian Television featured HDZ officials live more often than officials of opposition parties. Speaking about security in the Danube River Region in eastern Croatia, the OSCE Mission spokesman said the situation was peaceful. He singled out as especially positive the meeting of the chairwoman of the government's national committee for reconciliation with local Serb officials in Sotin on 30 September. At the meeting it was proposed that Sotin's residents should set up a joint commission to facilitate the tracing of missing persons and incite mutual dialogue. Palmer said the OSCE also welcomed the introduction of a telephone line for anonymous calls about missing persons, and called on all who know something to call and help. (hina) ha jn