OSCE Croatia report: further efforts needed in refugee returns, rule of law and minority rights

ZAGREB, 12 July 2005 - The OSCE Mission to Croatia said on Tuesday the country needed to make further efforts in three main areas - refugee return, rule of law and minority rights - to fulfil its international commitments.

Speaking at a press conference in Zagreb, Ambassador Jorge Fuentes, the Head of the OSCE Mission, said that Croatia had made considerable efforts in key areas with the support of the OSCE Mission and that half of the Mission's mandate could be completed in a year's time.

"Croatia has made significant progress in areas covered by the Mission's mandate," he said.

"However, outstanding issues faced by Croatia in areas such as refugee return and rule of law are more complex and sensitive, and require more time and more consistent efforts."

He highlighted the fact that Prime Minister Ivo Sanader and his Government had committed themselves to carry out important steps, including the adoption of an electoral law after the summer parliamentary recess, as well as the implementation of a "Road Map" comprising a series of tasks to resolve all refugee issues by the end of 2006.

"When Croatia carries out these two steps, as well as its commitments towards the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia [ICTY], the implementation of the Mission mandate could be very well advanced," concluded the Ambassador.

He presented an 18-page report outlining progress made by Croatia in areas covered by the OSCE Mission's mandate. This includes refugee return, rule of law, re-integration and restitution of property, freedom of the media, police reform and the state of civil society.

The report was submitted to the OSCE Permanent Council in Vienna last week and is now also available on the Mission's website: www.osce.org/croatia