CONSTITUTIONAL COURT TO CONSIDER DISCONTINUATION OF EVICTIONS ( Editorial: --> 0259 )

( Editorial: --> 0259 ) ZAGREB, Nov 12 (Hina) - The Croatian Constitutional Court on Wednesday requested the Government and Parliament to state their opinion in relation to ombudsman Ante Klaric's request for an assessment of a provision of the law on displaced person and refugee status stipulating the discontinuation of evictions of displaced persons. Under the said provision, all forced evictions of displaced persons currently occupying the houses of Serbs who fled Croatia following the liberation of Croatia's occupied territories are discontinued. The provision states that evictions are delayed until the displaced person is enabled to return, or is provided with accommodation elsewhere. Croatia' ombudsman Klaric stated in his request that the constitutionality of that provision was "very questionable". The discontinuation of all forced eviction procedures, in instances when final court rulings bind displaced persons to turn over flats or houses to their owners, limits ownership rights, said Klaric. The Constitutional Court will decide whether this provision is contrary to a constitutional provision guaranteeing ownership rights and a constitutional provision under which, when it is in Croatia's interest, ownership may be limited or denied, but with market value indemnity. (hina) ha jn 121842 MET nov 97