LOWER HOUSE DEBATES CHANGES TO STATE TRIBUNAL LAW

( Editorial: --> 4509 ) ZAGREB, Feb 25 (Hina) - The Croatian National Parliament's House of Representatives Wednesday concluded discussions on a bill on the execution of the imprisonment penalty, and changes and amendments to the law on the Croatian state tribunal. According to Justice Minister Miroslav Separovic, the changes to the state tribunal law propose the possibility of relieving the tribunal's president and members of duty in instances of serious violation of the Constitution and the law. The changes also propose that the decision on the appointment of judges be submitted in written form and with an explanation, as well as the introduction of personnel institutes which would give opinions on the candidates. The proposed changes were explained with the necessity of stepping the appointment of judges as, Separovic said, only 1,340 judges of the 1,962 necessary in all courts had been appointed, which is 68.3 per cent. The changes were backed by representatives of opposition benches. Luka Trconic of the Croatian Peasant Party's bench suggested that a written explanation be also given to candidates which had either not been appointed or failed to be re-elected. According to Vladimir Seks of the ruling Croatian Democratic Union's bench, the abstract provision on the violation of the Constitution and the law should be more precise. The representatives greatly commended the bill on the execution of the imprisonment penalty. They especially welcomed a provision under which the Ministry of Justice should report on the situation in prisons to competent state bodies and the public. They requested that such a report be submitted once a year. (hina) ha jn 251516 MET feb 98