OSCE CRITICISES CRO GOVT BY-LAW ON FLAT LEASING IN DANUBE REGION

( Editorial: --> 9438 ) ZAGREB, Feb 4 (Hina) - The Organisation for Security and Co- operation in Europe (OSCE) opposes a by-law by the Croatian government on the leasing of flats in the Croatian Danube river region, considering it discriminative, and which would be the subject of an urgent meeting of the Joint Working Group for Two-Way Return, OSCE mission chief in Croatia, Tim Guldimann, said on Wednesday. The by-law is contradictory to the equality of all refugees before the law, whether it was those living in the Danubian area or those returning to the area, Guldimann said. The by-law was adopted by the government on 22 January. According to it, those who have tenant rights in the Danubian area have to submit a request to draw up a contract about the leasing of the flat by 15 March. People who are not in the flats at the moment and do not have tenants rights have to leave the flats eight days after receiving notice that they had been ensured temporary accommodation in places in Croatia where they had lived before, if they do not have a habitable house of flat in Croatia. The OSCE believes that problems which were created as a consequence of war should be resolved in line with the Erdut Agreement on Peaceful Reintegration, agreements on the two-way return of refugees and in line with the principle of equality before the law, Guldiman said. According to him, the by-law had caused Serbs in the Croatian Danube region to feel insecure. Guldimann already held talks about the subject with Croatian Prime Minister Zlatko Matesa and his deputy Ljerka Mintas-Hodak. Hodak said the by-law would not have any practical effect by 15 March, except for the registration of refugees. The Joint Working Group comprising of representatives of the Croatian government, OSCe and U UNHCR will discuss the issue at a meeting on Thursday when the registration of refugees will also be discussed. Speaking about the situation in the Croatian Danubian region, Guldimann said that threats against Serbs which had been registered in the past two to three weeks had not escalated thanks to the efforts and determination of the Croatian government to do everything to keep public safety in the area under control. (hina) lm jn 042016 MET feb 98