OSCE Mission, Interior Ministry say efficient measures needed to curb hate-crimes in Croatia

ZAGREB, 23 January 2007 - Adequate criminal legislation would ensure the efficiency of law enforcement and enable judicial authorities to swiftly react to hate crime incidents, said participants at an OSCE-organized meeting that took place in Zagreb today.

"The OSCE Mission urges the Croatian authorities to put in place policies and practices that demonstrate zero tolerance to hate crimes," said Ambassador Jorge Fuentes, the Head of the OSCE Mission. He also urged the different actors within the police and the judicial system to increase their co-operation on the issue.

Croatia's Police Director General, Marijan Benko, said that amendments to the national penal code passed last October were a step forward in dealing with hate crimes, adding: "The inclusion of a definition of hate crime will help the police and judiciary to clearly define and identify such crimes, and then carry on proper investigation and processing".

Participants agreed that investigations of all incidents must be thorough to ensure that the rights of the offended person or a group are respected and protected. They pointed to the need to develop an effective reporting system on hate crimes, including the organization of proper statistics. Officials at all levels within the judicial system should receive special education and training in the investigation, prosecution, trial and sentencing of hate crimes cases.

Closer co-operation is needed among law enforcement bodies, prosecution, courts, educational institutions and NGOs. The public should be properly and timely informed about the results of hate crimes investigations.

The roundtable discussion was organized by the OSCE Mission and the Croatian Interior Ministry, and took place at the Police Academy.