HDZ FORMS HUMAN & MINORITY RIGHTS COMMITTEE

( Editorial: --> 6952 ) ZAGREB, May 27 (Hina) - The Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) has formed a Committee for Human and Minority Rights, the party said in a statement released on Tuesday. The party intends to establish cooperation with government bodies and non-government associations which deal with human rights issues as well as with similar committees of domestic and foreign parties. The Committee is also to monitor the human and minority rights situation throughout the country and propose measures for the protection of those rights. Deputy Premier and HDZ vice-president Ljerka Mintas-Hodak was elected first president of the Committee at a party session yesterday. The Committee will also consider assessments by international organisations on the human rights situation in Croatia. Special attention will be paid to the respect of rights of Homeland War victims, displaced people and refugees as well accommodation of Bosnian Croat refugees in Croatia. The party body is also to gather information on Croat minority rights in other countries, HDZ said in the statement. (hina) rml/bag 271626 MET may 98