The delegation acquainted the president with their rights and implementation of the Constitutional Law on Minority Rights, the Office of the President said in a statement.
The parliament was today discussing a government report on the implementation of the Constitutional Law on Minority Rights which minority deputies described as unsatisfactory and incomplete, particularly because it did not cover the year 2005.
The delegation expressed dissatisfaction with the existing system of election of minority representatives. The Croatian Constitution envisages that members of national minorities should have, along with the general right to vote, a special right to elect their representatives to the parliament.
At the 2003 parliamentary elections, minority representatives were elected by compiling separate lists of minority voters who had the right to choose between general lists of candidates and lists with minority candidates. Members of the parliamentary delegation believe that this procedure is discriminating.
The president and his guests also discussed the official use of minority languages and scripts and refugee return. President Mesic said that he would propose concrete measures for refugee return and the economic development of areas of return.
The parliamentary delegation consisted of MPs Zdenka Cuhnil, Furio Radin and Milorad Pupovac.
The largest opposition party, the Social Democrats, said today it was ready to support the proposal to give minorities double voting rights.
Deputies of the ruling Croatian Democratic Union believe that discussions on double voting rights are premature, but that they will consider them if a proposal on the matter is made.