COUNCIL OF EUROPE TO HOLD SEMINARS FOR CRO JUDICIARY & JOURNALISTS

( Editorial: --> 7600 ) STRASBOURG, 27 Jan (Hina) - Croatian Vice Premier Ljerka Mintas- Hodak and the Council of Europe's director for human rights, Pierre Henri Imbert, met in Strasbourg Tuesday. The meeting focused on respect for human rights in Croatia. "The talks focused on the application of the Association Law," said Mintas-Hodak, adding the re-registration of associations was under way in line with the new law. "We also discussed the legislative changes which occurred in Croatia following its admission to the Council of Europe," Imbert added. As regards the question of media freedom, "we have given concrete proposals that could help Croatian professional journalists and judicial bodies", he said. Mintas-Hodak said the meeting resulted in an agreement on the organisation of several seminars which would help "Croatian judicial bodies and professional journalists as well as newspaper publishing houses to better understand the importance and range of some regulations of the European Human Rights Convention and its application". "It was also agreed that the Council of Europe should help the association of journalists to improve the quality of professional journalism," the Croatian Vice Premier said. According to Mintas-Hodak, the talks also tackled the position of national minorities. Imbert said one felt the "continual progress in the protection and promotion of human rights in Croatia". Discussed was also the importance of the European Social Charter which Croatia still has not signed, although it has signed and ratified many conventions and charters of the Council of Europe, Imbert said. "We were glad to receive the information saying that certain steps have been made in that regard, and that working groups are holding meetings so as to prepare the ratification of the European Social Charter," Imbert said. (hina) mm rm 271916 MET jan 98