AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL WELCOMES CONSTITUTIONAL COURT DECISION

DECISION ( Editorial: --> 7661 ) ZAGREB, March 6 (Hina) - The Croatian branch of Amnesty International (AIH) has welcomed a recent Constitutional Court decision quashing certain provisions of the Defence Act which related to conscientious objectors. "This is definitely a step forward," campaign coordinator Ines Bulic told a press conference on Friday. She announced that the campaign for harmonising the Defence Act with European laws and international standards, particularly concerning the equal length of service in civilian institutions and military service. "AI considers the 1992 Decision of the Zagreb City authorities to ban public rallies from the main square as unconstitutional and contrary to the international conventions ratified by Croatia," Bulic said. "AI believes that the ruling party will end up accepting the opposition's demands that the Public Rallies Act be adjusted with European norms, particularly now that Deputy Prime Minister Ljerka Mintas-Hodak has been appointed Minister of European Integrations," she concluded. (hina) jn as/mb 062028 MET mar 98