HHO PRESENTS HUMAN RIGHTS PROMOTION AWARDS FOR 1998

ZAGREB, Dec 18 (Hina) - The Croatian Helsinki Committee (HHO) on Friday presented awards to distinguished public figures for their contribution in promoting human rights in 1998, as well as life achievement awards on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the Universal Declaration on Human Rights and Human Rights Day. An award for protection and promotion of human rights went to the Pakrac police superintendent Nikola Ivanac. The award promotes a model of police work aimed at serving and protecting the citizens from violence and human rights violation. A special award for life achievement went to Croatian poet and politician Vlado Gotovac. Journalist Jelena Lovric received an award for her articles which promote the ideas of freedom, creation and human rights. The same award was posthumously dedicated to the recently deceased journalist and the "Novi List" daily editor-in-chief Veljko Vicevic. The head of the Islamic community in Croatia, Sevko Omerbasic, received an award for protection and promotion of human rights in the field of inter-religious activities and dialogue. A special life achievement award was presented to the parish priest from Zagreb's St Marko Krizevcan parish, Rev. Franjo Jurak. (hina) rml