OSCE Mission welcomes Croatia's maturing democracy

VIENNA, 17 November 2005 - The Head of the OSCE Mission to Croatia, Ambassador Jorge Fuentes, today presented the latest bi-annual Mission Report to the OSCE Permanent Council, outlining the progress he judges Croatian authorities have made in fields covered by the Mission's mandate.

This includes the fields of refugee return, rule of law, reintegration and restitution of property, freedom of the media, police reform and the state of civil society.

Summarising, he said he detected signs that domestic institutions, the media and civil society were gaining the necessary confidence and ability to address outstanding issues.

The 27-page report notes measurable progress in refugee return, is a key issue for the Mission and a challenge for the Croatian Government. It cites official estimates that the process of reconstruction and repossession of war-damaged properties should be completed within the next two years.

"It is important that this positive momentum be seen in other areas, such as the provision of housing for the largest remaining category of refugees - former holders of occupancy or tenancy rights, who lived in socially-owned flats," said Ambassador Fuentes to representatives of the 55 participating States.

Next month, he said, the Mission, along with the Government, UNHCR, EC Delegation and other key partners, would launch a Public Awareness Campaign on Refugee Return next month to contribute to an atmosphere conducive to the re-integration of Croatian Serb refugees wishing to return.

Regarding the Croatian media scene, Ambassador Fuentes drew attention to worrying events involving the public broadcaster recently as well as to the fact that journalists continued to receive prison sentences in libel cases. He cautioned Croatia not to take a step backwards in media freedom.

The Head of Mission also expressed his hope that measures would be taken to meet obligations in the Constitutional Law on National Minorities, such as minority representation in administrative and judicial bodies, and that the Government would not delay a national plan to combat discrimination.

Ambasador Fuentes will present the report to media in Zagreb on 18 November.