ZAGREB, Sept 25 (Hina) - A panel entitled "Is the Right of Free Speech Being Squashed in Croatia?" was held in Zagreb on Wednesday evening. The panel was organised by the Committee for Feral Tribune and the Article 38 Committee.
Present were a number of prominent journalists, intellectuals, Opposition politicians, jurists and representatives of human-rights organisations.
ZAGREB, Sept 25 (Hina) - A panel entitled "Is the Right of Free
Speech Being Squashed in Croatia?" was held in Zagreb on Wednesday
evening. The panel was organised by the Committee for Feral Tribune
and the Article 38 Committee.
Present were a number of prominent journalists, intellectuals,
Opposition politicians, jurists and representatives of human-rights
organisations. #L#
Several speakers stressed the need to "use all means to oppose
those who want to squash the right to free speech."
"A conviction in the 'Feral Tribune' case would mean the end
of democracy in Croatia," said attorney Vesna Alaburic.
A journalist and an editor with the "Feral Tribune" satyrical
weekly are currently being tried for libel against the President of
Croatia. The verdict is to be returned tomorrow.
"It is not just two reporters who are on trial, it's Croatia
and its future," asserted jurist Ivan Siber, Ph.D.
"The prosecution of journalists for expressing a dissenting
opinion is an integral part of the ruling clique's plan to curtail
freedom," said chairman of the Croatian Helsinki Commitee, Ivan
Zvonimir Cicak.
(hina) as
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