U.N. RAPPORTEUR ON HUMAN RIGHTS VISITS STATE JUDICIAL COUNCIL

ZAGREB, 6 June (Hina) - The U.N. Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in former Yugoslavia, Elisabeth Rehn, held talks with the President of the Croatian State Judicial Council (DSV), Ante Potrebica, on Friday in Zagreb. The talks focused on the constitutional and legal status of the DSV, its work and the appointment and financial status of judges. #L# In a statement given after the meeting, Rehn stressed the importance of creating an 'absolutely independent judicial system'. One of the topics at the meeting was the issue of how to create independence for judges as well as which steps could and are already being taken in that area, Rehn sad, adding she and Potrebica also discussed whether it was better to elect lifelong judges or elect them for a certain period of time. DSV President Potrebica said that the talks had not left the framework of powers of the State Judicial Council. Special stress was laid on the financial status of employees in the judicial system, Potrebica said. 'I think that we have cleared up the constitutional and legal status and the work of the State Judicial Council, as well as some ambiguities concerning the appointment of judges Mrs Rehn was interested in', Potrebica said. (hina) rm mm 062035 MET jun 97