Employment of minorities in public service enhances public confidence in State institutions, OSCE Mission Head says

ZAGREB, 27 September 2007 - Minority employment in the judiciary was the focus of a meeting organized by the OSCE Mission to Croatia and the Justice Ministry today.

The discussion concentrated on the implementation of Article 22 of the Constitutional Law on the Rights of National Minorities (CLNM), which guarantees employment of national minority members in public service at both national and local level.

"Employment of national minorities in the public service serves two important functions: integrating Croatia's national minorities and enhancing public respect for and confidence in State institutions," said Head of the OSCE Mission, Ambassador Jorge Fuentes.

Justice Minister Ana Lovrin urged all members of national minorities to exercise their rights and apply for public-sector posts. She also expressed the hope that the meeting would encourage better implementation of the Law.

Speakers at the event highlighted that recent legal amendments require that the minority employment guarantee be taken into consideration as judges and states attorneys are appointed.

The Justice Ministry presented the 2007 Civil Service Employment Plan, including the Ministry's minority hiring targets for this year.

Participants of the meeting included representatives of the State Judicial Council, the State's Attorney Council, presidents of high courts, presidents of county courts, representatives of national minorities and representatives of the Delegation of the European Commission in Croatia as well as diplomatic missions.