CRO HELSINKI COMMITTEE HOLD SESSION FOR HUMAN RIGHTS DAY

( Editorial: --> 7386 ) ZAGREB, Dec 10 (Hina) - The Croatian Helsinki Committee for Human Rights (HHO) on Wednesday held a session on the occasion of International Human Rights Day, December 10. Speaking about the situation in Croatia, HHO president Ivan Zvonimir Cicak said that, during and after the conflict, Croatia had often been put in the position of a hostage to a political logic which, in the name of higher interests, demanded of all citizens to renounce some of their rights and freedoms, in the name of a lasting, common goal. Only a truly achieved democratic state had prospects for a long and lasting future, he said. Croatia's ombudsman Ante Klaric was given HHO's newly established Miko Tripalo Award, for his contribution to the protection of human rights. Klaric said greater tolerance and equal rights for all Croats, regardless of their nationality or else, were needed. Thomas Buergenthal's book "International Human Rights" was also presented at the session. (hina) ha jn 101747 MET dec 97