91997E3946

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3946/97 by Johannes Swoboda (PSE) to the Commission (12 December 1997)

Subject: Freedom of expression for the Open Society Institute, Croatia

According to newspaper reports, the Open Society Institute, Croatia, has come under heavy pressure from President Tudjman or the government (International Herald Tribune, 25 November 1997, p. 6, 'Tudjman's Vendetta').

How true is this information, and what will the Commission do to improve freedom of expression and action for this and other institutes?

Answer given by Mr Van den Broek on behalf of the Commission (19 January 1998)

The Commission shares the Honourable Member's concerns, and those of the Council of Europe and international human rights organisations, about respect for freedom of expression and association in Croatia. The Commission considers that the Croatian government's recent legislative and judicial actions against civil society and human rights organisations, such as the Open society institute, as well as against independent media, create serious obstacles to the development of a pluralist democracy and to safeguarding human rights.

Respect for human rights is one of the conditions for the development of improved relations between Croatia and the Community. Indeed, freedom of expression and of association are specifically mentioned in the Council conclusions of 29 April 1997 setting out the conditions for the development of bilateral relations with the countries covered by the Community's regional approach towards South-Eastern Europe. Croatia's attitude towards non-governmental organisations promoting human rights and freedom of expression is relevant in this context.