HOUSE OF REPS DEBATE BILL ON PUBLIC PROTESTS

( Editorial: --> 9215 ) ZAGREB, April 24 (Hina) - The Croatian Parliament's House of Representatives on Friday continued its session with the debate on the Government's bill on peaceful gathering and public protests. The bill foresees that the right to peaceful gathering and public protest can only be limited by the law because of the necessary protection of freedom and rights of other people, constitutional order, public morale and health. Assistant Interior Minister, Zlatko Gledec, explained that the draft bill proposes that representative bodies of towns with a population of more than 40,000 can decide the locations at which peaceful gatherings and public protests cannot take place. An organiser would need to give police seven days notice of a gathering. However, in case of an especially justified reason, notice could be given 48 hours prior. Peaceful gatherings and public protests would not be able to take place in nationals park, or near hospitals, kindergartens, primary schools, protected cultural monuments, or on motorways and highways. The Interior Minister would have the right to prevent a gathering if it is not notified, if it is being held at disallowed locations, if it calls for war or use of force, racial and religious hatred or any kind of intolerance or if there exists a possibility of danger, force or other forms of serious disturbance of public order and peace. An approved official could interrupt the holding of a gathering. In the case of a disapproval, a rally organiser could make a grievance to the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Croatia and it would be dealt with urgently. According to the draft bill organisers would be obliged to secure public order and peace. The new solution as opposed to the current one would separate peaceful gatherings and public protests from public events and fund raising functions. The legislative committee proposes that all towns and councils be given the right to decide the locations at which rallies could take place and not only towns with a population greater than 40,000. The committee suggests that peaceful gatherings and public protests be banned if they endanger the freedom of movement and the work of a greater number of people. (hina) jn mrb/jfk 241628 MET apr 98