In the European Union, it is within the jurisdiction of member states to decide whether they will allow a rally and the European Commission has no authority to interfere, EC spokesman Peter Stano said when asked to comment on Croatian Interior Minister Ranko Ostojic's decision to ban the two rallies.
When it comes to public assemblies of various groups, the authorities of member countries attempt, based on domestic legislation, to ensure a balance between the freedom of expression on the one hand and security, democratic principles and the prevention of expressions of racism, xenophobia or extremism on the other, Stano added.
Croatian Prime Minister Zoran Milanovic said at today's government session that the reasons for the ban had to do with politics and world views.
"Those who in their programmes, and such have been announced (for the rallies), call for overthrowing Croatia's constitutional order, the plunder of parts of Croatian territory, they can come to Croatia as tourists, but they can't come as political opponents," Milanovic said announcing Ostojic's decision
to ban the rallies planned for April 13 and 14.
That right does not exist anywhere, Milanovic said, stressing that "those organising such protests must know that this won't pass muster."
He said the government had an obligation "to our people and citizens" to oppose such ideas. "So, this won't pass muster either now or in the future."
The Croatian Party of Rights (HSP) today condemned the rallies of European far right parties which the HCSP planned to organise in Zagreb but it also disputed the government's right to ban political rallies.