JUDGES OF FIRST CONSTITUTIONAL COURT COMPOSITION HANDED AWARDS

ZAGREB, Dec 23 (Hina) - Croatian Parliament President and Acting Head of State Vlatko Pavletic on Thursday bestowed 'Prince Branimir With the Sash' decorations on eight Constitutional Court judges who had been elected to the first composition of the Constitutional Court. A former Constitutional Court president Jadranko Crnic and judges Zdravko Bartovcak, Nikola Filipovic, Ante Jelavic Mitrovic, Vojislav Kucekovic, Hrvoje Momcinovic, Ivan Marijan Severinac, and Mladen Zuvela were decorated for their special contribution to the work of the first composition of the Constitutional Court. Stressing that in the past eight years the judges had performed their duties in the best possible way and made important decisions under pressure and public scrutiny, Pavletic expressed hope the Constitutional Court would continue developing on the foundations laid by the judges of its first composition. "It is important for Croatia's further development that authorities at all levels abide by the Constitution", Pavletic said. Expressing gratitude on behalf of his colleagues, Crnic said it had been an honour for the judges of the first Court's composition to participate in the making of the "Christmas Constitution" of 1990 and that during the war "the law did not keep silent". The Constitutional Court has followed the policy of the rule of law and protection of citizens, Crnic said, expressing hope the new composition would be even more efficient in the protection of the Constitution and civil rights. (hina) rml