MORAL, LEGAL AND SOCIAL ASPECTS OF EVICTIONS IN CROATIA

ZAGREB, Nov 2, (Hina)- The two-day working group 'The Legal, Moral and Social Aspects' today opened its session at the Esplanada Hotel in Zagreb. The event was convened by the Croatian Helsinki Human Rights Committee (HHO) and involved 60 participants, including people representing Croatian diplomats, political parties, the Croatian Government. Croatian Parliament House of Representatives deputy speaker, Vladimir Seks, also took part. Speaking on behalf of the HHO, Ivan Zvonimir Cicak said that aggression on Croatia was an unacceptable excuse for abusing Croatian citizens. He added that former Jugoslav army flats apartments represented only a small number of flats which were being taken from Croatian citizens. "Those who are supporting evictions are making themselves an enemy of Croatia and they're violating legal and human rights," Cicak said. Tatjana Termacic spoke on behalf of the UN general secretary for human rights, Tadeusz Mazowiecki. She said Mazowiecki's reports clearly underlined inconsistencies, irregularities and human rights violations during evictions. Justice Minister Ivica Crnic urged courts to make decisions on these problems. He added that nonetheless everyone should accept decisions from State authorities regardless of whether or not the decisions were made by administrative authorities or courts. Croatian deputy prime minister, Ivica Kostovic focused on the eviction problems of displaced people and refugees. He said displaced people were seeking protection until they were able to return to their homes. "What have humanitarian associations and the international community done for them and their return to their homes?" Kostovic said. The working group session is continuing. (Hina) mm sd mms 021521 MET nov 94