WRITTEN QUESTION E-0266/98 by Yiannis Roubatis (PSE) to the Commission (13 February 1998)

Subject: The Tudjman regime's tactics in Croatia

According to a report in the International Herald Tribune, the Tudjman regime in Croatia is prosecting the Croatian Helsinki Committee and the independent newspaper Feral Tribune, and it is seeking to impose controls on and abolish Croatian and foreign institutions which do not meet with its approval, subsidiaries of foreign undertakings, humanitarian and other non-governmental organisations which are struggling for the independence of the mass media, democracy and human rights in Croatia.

The reason given by the Tudjman regime for this prosecution is that all the organisations are introducing a dangerous new ideology into Croatia.

Will the Commission say:

1. Is it aware of these tactics by the Tudjman regime?

2. Does it intend to finance and to support by every means the institutions in Croatia which are being prosecuted?

3. Does it intend to call on the Croatian President to cease prosecuting bodies which are supporting the independence of the mass media, human rights and democracy in Croatia?

Answer given by Mr Van den Broek on behalf of the Commission (13 March 1998)

The Commission shares the Honourable Member's concern in relation to the freedom of association and expression in Croatia, in particular as regards recent laws and restrictions on the activities of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and independent media. It has voiced its concern at various levels and on multiple occasions in contacts with the Croatian authorities.

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 which set out conditions for the development of bilateral relations with the countries covered by the Community's regional approach towards the countries of South Eastern Europe.

The Commission provides support (MECU almost 5.5 to date) to civil society organisations and to human rights monitoring and advocacy groups in Croatia, as well as to independent media, and intends to continue its support in these fields.

The Honourable Member is further referred to the reply given to written question E-3946/97 by M. Swoboda ((OJ C 187, 16.6.1998, p. 99. )) and to the Commission's intervention during the debate in plenary concerning human rights and civic society in Croatia on 18 December 1997.