STATEMENT OF CRO AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL ON WOMEN'S DAY

ZAGREB, March 8 (Hina) - The Amnesty International Of Croatia issued a statement on occasion of Women's Day (March 8) which said that the Amnesty International, as a world human rights movement, began a world campaign for refugees in March this year, whereas on March 8, the organisation concentrated its campaign on women refugees. "Many women have fled their homes for the same reason as men refugees have in order to avoid persecution for reasons of their national, ethnic or social membership as well as for reasons of their religious or political belief. They are facing the same difficulties as men when seeking asylum. However, women are subject to additional dangers only because they are women; they are exposed to abuse while they are on the run, and they are exposed to abuse by civil servants and members of local populations" the statement said adding that refugee camps were usually organised in the way to discriminate against women. The organisation reminded that the discrimination against women was forbidden by numerous international human rights laws which oblige states to condemn the discrimination against women in all forms and adopt regulations for the women's rights protection. On occasion of Women's Day the Amnesty International of Croatia voiced hope that "by its laws and practice, the Republic of Croatia will work for the benefit of greater protection of women and women refugees." It called citizens to sign petitions of its local groups from 10.00 to 17.00 hrs Saturday in Cvjetni Square in Zagreb. (hina) mš 081642 MET mar 97