ÿWPC‚ ½!Ëíö¦zdvH¹³zc‚¾$íèp=úePÖ<õV#±PÓÜE<Ù¾#1³R®ÆÛŒ_qø,5Î$'õÝÃ@~PLKëZIî­â®mgŠ ¢„4Z4r·]L‹±~•n JÛ–ßp¼§>ÖÌC®—}VAzLË›'A4°1*ÓüñWà{…ãMHΡ:’îñ±ñô,©ïÉ>ŽÝǻɺ AØ{ü› _î9×´Rò´E·–>ø˜gÕþú…Ì…Âóâ ¨X‘b%䋾#€µÎÍ!Λè útžÅ“‘±"J»/隬ê2VÀ$ÿl¨ÔfŸ¿>ºHU1 áÜ/§)N|ÞÀn5aqžˆ’¸¶8 hæq*$a׌­œ+k¨X„>¬­êð‡ÄÝ"Y¥Ÿè¸wºTÔÑ·ád’˜ýy”r·5¯·¹»ù1¸©~Ào£¬¶@9Ì´NðPQOW/ÐÄ纼¸s¤ÆqV4uäôÇB²Èk>õ¸<¤àœh±êçÖ ï¾)}Â]¸{=RƒR¢…ÌŠBéfÏÿ\Z¯ HÖ•›Ôıã:’¾þVâØ×2À €A‡OCJi›–ñaq Ë„àî0©«èž³=ËãèãO[Z#ÉìUNµ % 0: ^ C wO 4S g v mx 1‡ 72 0cH 0w« 0Š" 0 ¬ 0´L 0Ç 0ÛÇ 0ï¢ 0D‘ 1uÕ 72J.| 1‡ª 721Ncccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccc Be˜Microsoft Office Document Image Writer 0&Öd9 Z‹6Times New Roman RegularX(üœ$¡¡ÔUSUS.,ÔBœ÷0— §m÷0¤(’€Corel3|xÿU‹ÿÀÀÀ h‹sCEIMQUY]aAutoList1""""""""i)1)a) "(;3£$´´Ô2#ÔÚ  Ú0Ú  Ú.Ô3  Ôà0  à(Oé;$µµà0  àÔ2#ÔÚ  ÚaÚ  Ú.Ô3  Ôà0` (#(#à(b·¤$¶¶à0  àà0` (#(#àÔ2#ÔÚ  ÚÚ  Ú.Ô3  Ôà0¸ ` (#` (#à(xir$··à0  àà0` (#(#àà0¸ ` (#` (#àÔ2#Ô(Ú  Ú0Ú  Ú)Ô3  Ôà0¸ (#¸ (#à(ŒÜ$¸¸à0  àà0` (#(#àà0¸ ` (#` (#àà0¸ (#¸ (#àÔ2#Ô(Ú  ÚaÚ  Ú)Ô3  Ôà0h(#(#à(ŸF$¹¹à0  àà0` (#(#àà0¸ ` (#` (#àà0¸ (#¸ (#àà0h(#(#àÔ2#Ô(Ú  ÚÚ  Ú)Ô3  Ôà0Àh(#h(#à(³Àô$ººà0  àà0` (#(#àà0¸ ` (#` (#àà0¸ (#¸ (#àà0h(#(#àà0Àh(#h(#àÔ2#ÔÚ  Ú0Ú  Ú)Ô3  Ôà0À(#À(#à(ǵ{$»»à0  àà0` (#(#àà0¸ ` (#` (#àà0¸ (#¸ (#àà0h(#(#àà0Àh(#h(#àà0À(#À(#àÔ2#ÔÚ  ÚaÚ  Ú)Ô3  Ôà0p(#(#à(F$ïïà0  àà0` (#(#àà0¸ ` (#` (#àà0¸ (#¸ (#àà0h(#(#àà0Àh(#h(#àà0À(#À(#àà0p(#(#àÔ2#ÔÙ ÙÚ  ÚÚ  ÚÙ Ù)Ô3  Ôà0Èp(#p(#àÙ Ù3#37=CIQYag­­1.a.i.(1)(a)(i)1)a)i)  CERDbenefited(EhCEKQW]cioAutoList21.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1. dÝ ƒüœ!ÝÔUSUS.,ÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔÑe°Ñò òÔ‡¼rÏ»XXÔÓ  ÓÓ  ÓCROATIAÔ#†X¹÷X»¼rÏN#Ôó óÐ e ÐÓyÓÌÌò òCERD€€A/48/18€(1993)ó óÐ Qì ÐÌÌ474.€€At€its€984th€meeting,€held€on€19€March€1993,€the€Committee€expressed€its€grave€concern€overÐ  ° Ðthe€ongoing€ethnic€conflict€taking€place€in€the€territory€of€the€former€Yugoslavia€and€requested€theÐ  œ ÐGovernment€of€Croatia€and€other€successor€Governments€of€the€former€Yugoslavia,€in€accordanceÐ í ˆ Ðwith€article€9,€paragraph€1,€of€the€Convention,€to€submit€further€information€on€the€implementationÐ Ù t  Ðof€the€Convention,€to€be€submitted€not€later€than€31€July€1993.Ð Å `  ÐÌ475.€€The€report€submitted€by€the€Government€of€Croatia€pursuant€to€the€aforementioned€decisionÐ 8  Ð(CERD/C/249)€was€considered€by€the€Committee€at€its€1002nd€meeting,€held€on€12€August€1993€(seeÐ ‰$  ÐCERD/C/SR.1002).Ð u  ÐÌ476.€€The€report€was€introduced€by€the€representative€of€the€State€party,€who€said€that€the€1990Ð Mè ÐConstitution€contained€a€number€of€articles€dealing€with€human€rights.€€Discrimination€on€the€basisÐ 9Ô Ðof€race,€colour,€religion€or€national€origin€had€been€strictly€prohibited.€€Additionally,€theÐ %À ÐConstitutional€Law€on€Human€Rights€and€Freedoms€and€the€Rights€of€Ethnic€and€NationalÐ ¬ ÐCommunities€or€Minorities€had€been€adopted€in€1991€and€amended€in€April€1992.€€Reforms€inÐ ý˜ Ðmunicipal€law€were€under€way€and€a€special€status€for€those€areas€having€an€ethnic€Serbian€majorityÐ é„ Ðhad€been€proclaimed.Ð Õp ÐÌ477.€€At€the€international€level,€Croatia€had€succeeded€to€all€of€the€international€human€rightsÐ ­H Ðinstruments€to€which€the€former€Yugoslavia€had€been€a€party.€€The€date€of€entry€into€force€for€thoseÐ ™4 Ðinstruments€had€been€1€October€1991,€the€date€of€independence,€so€as€not€to€interrupt€the€coverageÐ …  Ðafforded€by€the€provisions€of€those€instruments.€€The€Government€was€also€planning€to€ratify€theÐ q  ÐOptional€Protocol€to€the€International€Covenant€on€Civil€and€Political€Rights.€€Additionally,€a€numberÐ ]ø Ðof€bilateral€agreements€had€been€concluded€with€neighbouring€States€concerning€the€protection€ofÐ Iä Ðminorities.Ð 5 Ð ÐÌ478.€€Croatia€had€cooperated€with€the€Special€Rapporteur€of€the€Commission€on€Human€RightsÐ  "¨  Ðconcerning€the€situation€of€human€rights€in€the€territory€of€the€former€Yugoslavia€and€had€furnishedÐ ù"”! Ðhim€with€the€information€which€had€been€requested.€€Croatia€also€intended€to€cooperate€with€the€warÐ å#€" Ðcrimes€tribunal€which€was€to€be€established€pursuant€to€the€decision€of€the€Security€Council.Ð Ñ$l # ÐÌ479.€€The€representative€pointed€out€that€the€Government€was€not€in€control€of€about€a€quarter€ofÐ ©&D"% Ðits€territory€and€that€it€could€not€ensure€the€implementation€of€the€Convention€in€those€areas.€€In€thatÐ •'0#& Ðconnection,€the€Government€had€tried€to€negotiate€with€the€rebellious€forces€and,€to€that€end,€hadÐ ($' Ðpromulgated€an€amnesty€law€in€October€1992€which€exempted€from€prosecution€all€those€who€hadÐ m)%( Ðfought€on€the€side€of€the€Serbian€forces.€€Those€who€had€committed€grave€breaches€of€internationalÐ Y*ô%) Ðhumanitarian€law,€however,€would€not€be€exempted€but€would€be€subject€to€possible€prosecution€byÐ E+à&* Ðthe€war€crimes€tribunal.Ð 1,Ì'+ ÐÐ -¸(, Ð480.€€Members€of€the€Committee€noted€with€satisfaction€that€the€report€submitted€pursuant€to€theÐ e ÐCommittee's€request€for€information€was€comprehensive€and€contained€much€useful€information€onÐ Qì Ðthe€legal€framework€for€the€protection€of€ethnic€and€national€minority€communities€in€Croatia.€Ð =Ø ÐMembers€noted,€however,€that€further€information€was€required€on€the€actual€application€of€theÐ )Ä Ðrelevant€laws€and€the€extent€to€which€the€minority€communities€in€the€country€enjoyed€the€protectionsÐ ° Ðafforded€by€the€Convention.Ð  œ ÐÌ481.€€With€respect€to€article€2€of€the€Convention,€members€of€the€Committee€wished€to€knowÐ Ù t Ðwhether€measures€which€had€been€taken€to€protect€human€rights€and€fundamental€freedoms€hadÐ Å ` Ðbenefited€members€of€all€minorities€or€only€certain€groups;€whether€article€14€of€the€Constitution,Ð ± L  Ðwhich€prohibited€racial€discrimination,€applied€only€to€citizens€of€Croatia;€what€the€legal€differenceÐ  8  Ðwas€concerning€the€terms€"minorities",€"peoples",€"nations"€and€"communities"€as€referred€to€inÐ ‰$  Ðarticle€15€of€the€Constitution;€what€the€achievements€had€been€of€the€Office€for€Inter-Ethnic€RelationsÐ u  Ðand€the€Council€of€representatives€of€ethnic€and€national€communities€or€minorities;€and€what€stepsÐ aü  Ðwere€being€taken€to€protect€those€whose€names€appeared€in€"ethnic€lists"€of€persons€considered€toÐ Mè  Ðbe€of€non-Croatian€origin.€€Information€was€further€requested€on€the€reported€assassination€orÐ 9Ô  Ðexpulsion€of€ethnic€Hungarians€living€in€the€Baranja€area.Ð %À ÐÌ482.€€With€respect€to€article€4€of€the€Convention,€members€wished€to€know€what€steps€had€beenÐ ý˜ Ðtaken€to€implement€the€provisions€of€that€article,€particularly€those€provisions€prohibiting€racistÐ é„ Ðactivities€and€racist€propaganda;€what€measures€had€been€taken€to€prohibit€the€activities€ofÐ Õp Ðultra-nationalist€organizations;€and€whether€the€wearing€or€display€of€Nazi€insignia€had€beenÐ Á\ Ðprohibited,€particularly€in€regard€to€its€reported€use€by€elements€of€the€Croatian€army.Ð ­H ÐÌ483.€€With€respect€to€non-discrimination€in€the€enjoyment€of€the€rights€referred€to€in€article€5€of€theÐ …  ÐConvention,€members€of€the€Committee€wished€to€know€what€the€precise€criteria€were€for€theÐ q  Ðgranting€of€citizenship;€what€steps€had€been€taken€to€avoid€delays€in€the€processing€of€applicationsÐ ]ø Ðfor€citizenship,€particularly€in€order€to€protect€applicants€from€losing€their€social€and€educationalÐ Iä Ðbenefits;€whether€the€guarantees€for€fundamental€rights€contained€in€article€35€of€the€ConstitutionÐ 5Ð Ðapplied€only€to€citizens;€and€what€steps€had€been€taken€to€ensure€that€ethnic€Serbs€could€effectivelyÐ !¼ Ðparticipate€in€elections.Ð  ¨ ÐÌ484.€€Members€expressed€deep€concern€over€reports€of€illegal€or€arbitrary€detention,€disappearances,Ð å!€  Ðtorture,€deaths€in€custody€and€other€abuses€by€Croatian€forces€and€wished€to€know€if€those€allegationsÐ Ñ"l! Ðhad€been€investigated€and€whether€those€responsible€had€been€prosecuted.€€In€that€connection,Ð ½#X" Ðmembers€asked€what€had€been€done€to€return€to€their€rightful€owners€homes€and€businesses€whichÐ ©$D # Ðhad€been€confiscated€by€armed€bands;€what€measures€had€been€taken€to€protect€the€rights€and€securityÐ •%0!$ Ðof€non-Croatians€wishing€to€return;€whether€allegations€had€been€investigated€concerning€secretÐ &"% Ðprisons€run€by€private€groups€where€non-Croatians€were€subject€to€detention€and€torture;€whetherÐ m'#& Ðpersons€of€non-Croatian€origin€had€been€taken€into€custody€for€the€purpose€of€exchanging€them€forÐ Y(ô#' ÐCroatians€held€by€rebellious€forces;€and€what€steps€had€been€taken€or€foreseen€to€bring€to€justiceÐ E)à$( ÐCroatians€who€had€been€responsible€for€serious€or€massive€human€rights€violations€and€theÐ 1*Ì%) Ðcommission€of€war€crimes.€€Members€also€requested€further€information€on€the€implementation€ofÐ +¸&* Ðthe€amnesty€law€of€October€1992€and€how€its€application€would€affect€cooperation€with€the€warÐ  ,¤'+ Ðcrimes€tribunal€to€be€established€in€accordance€with€the€decision€of€the€Security€Council.Ð õ,(, ÐÐ á-|)- Ð485.€€With€respect€to€article€6€of€the€Convention,€members€of€the€Committee€wished€to€know€whatÐ e Ðsteps€had€been€taken€to€ensure€equal€treatment€by€the€tribunals€regardless€of€ethnic€or€nationalÐ Qì Ðbackground€and€what€had€been€done€to€ensure€that€the€crime€of€rebellion€against€the€State€was€notÐ =Ø Ðbeing€used€in€a€discriminatory€way.€€Ð )Ä ÐÌ486.€€Members€expressed€satisfaction€that€Croatia€had€accepted€a€large€number€of€Bosnian€refugeesÐ  œ Ðen€route€to€other€countries.€€In€that€connection,€members€asked€what€had€been€done€to€expedite€theÐ í ˆ Ðprocessing€of€their€applications€and€to€prevent€the€òòrefoulementóó€of€refugees€fleeing€the€conflict€inÐ Ù t Ðneighbouring€countries.€€Members€also€wished€to€know€what€measures€had€been€taken€to€prevent€theÐ Å ` Ðparticipation€of€Croatian€nationals€in€the€armed€conflict€in€Bosnia€and€Herzegovina.Ð ± L  ÐÌ487.€€The€representative€welcomed€the€establishment€of€an€ongoing€dialogue€with€the€Committee€and,Ð ‰$  Ðin€that€connection,€invited€the€Committee€to€send€one€of€its€members€to€Croatia€in€order€to€clarifyÐ u  Ðits€concerns€to€the€Government€and€to€assist€it€in€adapting€its€legislation€and€policies€to€theÐ aü  Ðrequirements€of€the€Convention.Ð Mè  ÐÌ488.€€Responding€to€the€questions,€the€representative€of€the€State€party€stated€that€references€toÐ %À Ð"certain"€minority€communities€in€basic€legal€documents€were€to€denote€the€special€status€accordedÐ ¬ Ðto€some€groups€in€addition€to€the€non-discrimination€in€the€enjoyment€of€human€rights€which€wasÐ ý˜ Ðaccorded€equally€to€all€ethnic€and€national€minorities.€€Owing€to€the€armed€conflict€in€some€parts€ofÐ é„ Ðthe€country,€compliance€with€all€of€the€provisions€protecting€minorities€had€been€slow€in€some€cases.Ð Õp ÐÌ489.€€With€respect€to€reports€of€an€"ethnic€list",€such€a€list€did,€in€fact,€exist.€€That€list,€which€hadÐ ­H Ðbeen€drawn€up€by€private€persons,€had€been€condemned€by€the€authorities€and€those€foundÐ ™4 Ðresponsible€for€it€had€been€prosecuted.€€Responding€to€allegations€of€summary€or€arbitraryÐ …  Ðexecutions,€the€representative€stated€that€some€reports€in€that€regard€had€not€been€correct€and€theÐ q  Ðalleged€victims€had€later€been€found€living€elsewhere€in€the€country.Ð ]ø ÐÌ490.€€Successive€waves€of€refugees€had€overburdened€the€capacity€of€medical€and€other€basicÐ 5Ð Ðfacilities€to€provide€adequate€services.€€The€representative€strongly€denied€that€Croatia€had€violatedÐ !¼ Ðthe€principle€of€òònon-refoulementóó,€pointing€out€that€Croatia€had€been€one€of€the€first€States€toÐ  ¨ Ðrecognize€Bosnia€and€Herzegovina€and€stating€that€the€authorities€did€not€endanger€the€lives€of€thoseÐ ù ” Ðfleeing€to€Croatia.Ð å!€  ÐÌ491.€€The€representative€emphasized€that€the€Government€strongly€condemned€the€use€of€NaziÐ ½#X" Ðemblems,€which€evoked€memories€of€a€fascist€past.€€The€Government€was€fully€cognizant€that€peaceÐ ©$D # Ðwas€needed€in€order€to€start€the€economy€and€resume€normal€life.€€To€that€end,€dialogue€had€begunÐ •%0!$ Ðat€a€number€of€levels€between€the€various€communities.€€The€authorities€were€careful€to€avoidÐ &"% Ðincitement€to€nationalistic€fervour.€€Croatia€was€committed€to€trying€those€responsible€for€war€crimes,Ð m'#& Ðwhether€in€the€national€courts€or€in€the€war€crimes€tribunal€which€was€to€be€established.€€In€thatÐ Y(ô#' Ðconnection,€there€was€no€encouragement,€or€cooperation€with,€ethnic€Croatian€forces€operatingÐ E)à$( Ðoutside€the€borders.Ð 1*Ì%) ÐÌòòConcluding€observationsóóÐ  ,¤'+ ÐÌ492.€€At€its€1010th€meeting,€held€on€19€August€1993,€the€Committee€adopted€the€followingÐ á-|)- Ðconcluding€observations.Ð e ÐÌòòIntroductionóóÐ =Ø ÐÌ493.€€The€Committee€noted€the€report€of€the€State€party€and€the€additional€information€providedÐ ° Ðorally€by€the€delegation.€€Although€the€report€was€comprehensive,€it€focused€mainly€on€the€legalÐ  œ Ðframework€for€the€protection€of€the€rights€of€the€minority€communities€and€did€not€contain€sufficientÐ í ˆ Ðinformation€on€the€implementation€of€those€laws€or€on€the€extent€to€which€minority€communitiesÐ Ù t Ðactually€enjoyed€the€rights€guaranteed€under€the€Convention.Ð Å ` ÐÌòòPositive€aspectsóóÐ  8  ÐÌ494.€€The€Committee€noted€the€efforts€of€the€Government€to€incorporate€the€Convention€intoÐ u  Ðdomestic€law€and€that€in€cases€of€conflict€between€its€provisions€and€those€of€domestic€legislation€theÐ aü  ÐConvention€would€prevail.€€The€Committee€welcomed€the€announcement€that€the€GovernmentÐ Mè  Ðintended€to€adhere€to€the€Optional€Protocol€to€the€International€Covenant€on€Civil€and€PoliticalÐ 9Ô  ÐRights.€€The€Committee€also€noted€information€that€the€Government€might€consider€making€aÐ %À Ðdeclaration€under€article€14€of€the€Convention.Ð ¬ ÐÌ495.€€The€Committee€expressed€its€satisfaction€at€the€promulgation€of€the€Constitutional€Law€onÐ é„ ÐHuman€Rights€and€Freedoms€and€the€Rights€of€Ethnic€and€National€Communities€or€Minorities.€€TheÐ Õp ÐCommittee€noted€that€effective€implementation€of€that€progressive€legislation€could€play€a€crucial€roleÐ Á\ Ðin€establishing€the€foundation€for€mutual€respect€and€cooperation€among€the€various€ethnic€andÐ ­H Ðnational€communities.Ð ™4 ÐÌòòPrincipal€subjects€of€concernóóÐ q  ÐÌ496.€€The€Committee€noted€with€concern€the€general€lack€of€clarity€in€a€number€of€basic€legalÐ Iä Ðprovisions€guaranteeing€non-discrimination€in€the€enjoyment€of€human€rights€and€fundamentalÐ 5Ð Ðfreedoms€for€members€of€the€minority€communities.€€In€some€cases,€guarantees€would€appear€to€applyÐ !¼ Ðonly€to€citizens€of€Croatia;€in€other€cases,€it€was€not€clear€whether€the€rights€of€all€ethnic€and€nationalÐ  ¨ Ðgroups€were€equally€protected.Ð ù ” ÐÌ497.€€The€Committee€expressed€concern€over€problems€relating€to€statelessness€and€noted€that€delaysÐ Ñ"l! Ðin€the€processing€of€applications€for€citizenship€had€led€to€interruption€in€the€provision€of€educationalÐ ½#X" Ðand€social€benefits€for€members€of€the€minority€communities.Ð ©$D # ÐÌ498.€€The€Committee€was€concerned€about€the€practice€of€illegal€and€arbitrary€detention,Ð &"% Ðdisappearance,€torture,€deaths€in€custody€and€other€human€rights€abuses€by€Croatian€armed€andÐ m'#& Ðparamilitary€forces.€€The€Committee€was€also€concerned€about€reports€of€prisons€run€by€privateÐ Y(ô#' Ðgroups€who€took€non-ethnic€Croatians€into€custody€for€the€purpose€of€exchanging€them€for€ethnicÐ E)à$( ÐCroatians€held€by€other€forces.Ð 1*Ì%) ÐÌ499.€€The€Committee€expressed€concern€over€the€circulation€in€Croatia€of€ethnic€lists€of€personsÐ  ,¤'+ Ðconsidered€non-Croatian€in€origin,€which€were€used€for€discriminatory€purposes,€particularlyÐ õ,(, Ðconcerning€employment€opportunities.€€The€Committee€was€also€deeply€concerned€over€the€reportedÐ á-|)- Ðuse€of€Nazi€insignia,€in€particular€by€elements€of€the€Croatian€army.Ð e ÐÌ500.€€The€Committee€was€concerned€about€the€actual€implementation€of€recent€laws€adopted€toÐ =Ø Ðensure€non-discrimination€in€the€enjoyment€of€human€rights€and€fundamental€freedoms€by€minoritiesÐ )Ä Ðin€Croatia.€€Effective€policies€and€implementing€mechanisms€for€existing€constitutional€and€legalÐ ° Ðguarantees€would€be€of€decisive€importance€in€efforts€to€restore€interethnic€tolerance€and€harmony.Ð  œ ÐÌ501.€€The€Committee€was€informed€by€the€State€party€that€it€was€unable€to€implement€the€ConventionÐ Ù t Ðin€part€of€its€territory€where€the€dominant€group€did€not€recognize€its€authority.Ð Å ` ÐÌ502.€€The€Committee€noted€with€great€concern€that€links€existed€between€Croatia€and€CroatianÐ  8  Ðmilitias€and€paramilitary€groups€responsible€for€massive,€gross€and€systematic€violations€of€humanÐ ‰$  Ðrights€in€Bosnia€and€Herzegovina€in€territories€controlled€by€Croats.Ð u  ÐÌ503.€€The€Committee€was€also€concerned€that€Croats€in€Bosnia€and€Herzegovina€were€hindering€theÐ Mè  Ðattempts€of€the€Government€of€that€State€to€implement€the€Convention.Ð 9Ô  ÐÌòòSuggestions€and€recommendationsóóÐ ¬ ÐÌ504.€€The€Committee€recommended€that€the€application€of€existing€laws€and€regulations€aimed€atÐ é„ Ðprotecting€the€rights€of€non-ethnic€Croatians€should€be€closely€monitored€and€that€mechanismsÐ Õp Ðconcerned€with€their€implementation€should€be€strengthened.€€In€that€connection,€continuousÐ Á\ Ðmonitoring€of€the€actual€situation€pertaining€to€minority€communities€would€be€necessary€in€order€toÐ ­H Ðmeasure€the€success€of€government€policies€and€to€indicate€where€changes,€including€affirmativeÐ ™4 Ðaction,€should€be€considered€in€regard€to€minority€groups€which€were€particularly€vulnerable€orÐ …  Ðdisadvantaged.Ð q  ÐÌ505.€€The€Committee€emphasized€the€obligation€of€the€State€party,€under€article€4€of€the€Convention,Ð Iä Ðto€condemn€racist€activities,€organizations€and€propaganda€and€to€make€such€offences€punishable€byÐ 5Ð Ðlaw.€€Given€the€sensitive€situation€prevailing€not€only€in€the€country€but€also€in€the€region,Ð !¼ Ðcondemnation,€prohibition€and€prosecution€should€also€extend€to€ultranationalist€and€extremistÐ  ¨ Ðactivities€on€ethnic€grounds,€such€as€the€circulation€of€ethnic€lists€and€the€display€of€Nazi€emblemsÐ ù ” Ðor€the€holding€of€non-ethnic€Croatians€in€secret€prisons.€€At€the€same€time,€active€and€visibleÐ å!€  Ðmeasures€should€be€taken€by€authorities€at€all€levels€to€promote€interethnic€tolerance€andÐ Ñ"l! Ðunderstanding€among€the€general€public.€€To€that€end,€the€Government€should€encourage€multi-ethnicÐ ½#X" Ðorganizations€and€movements€and€foster€an€ongoing€dialogue€among€leaders€and€representatives€ofÐ ©$D # Ðthe€various€communities€to€ensure€respect€for€the€observance€of€human€rights€and€the€rights€of€theÐ •%0!$ Ðminority€communities€and€their€participation€in€the€democratic€process.€€The€Committee€by€no€meansÐ &"% Ðencouraged€trends€for€separation€or€secession.Ð m'#& ÐÌ506.€€The€Committee€urged€the€Government€of€Croatia€to€undertake€all€measures€at€its€disposal€withÐ E)à$( Ða€view€to€bringing€to€an€end€the€massive,€gross€and€systematic€human€rights€violations€occurring€inÐ 1*Ì%) Ðthose€areas€of€Bosnia€and€Herzegovina€controlled€by€Croats.€€The€Committee€also€urged€the€StateÐ +¸&* Ðparty€to€assist€efforts€to€arrest,€bring€to€trial€and€punish€all€those€responsible€for€crimes€which€wouldÐ  ,¤'+ Ðbe€covered€by€the€terms€of€reference€of€the€International€Tribunal€established€pursuant€to€SecurityÐ õ,(, ÐCouncil€resolution€808€(1993).Ð á-|)- ЇòòFurther€actionóóÐ e ÐÌ507.€€The€Committee,€taking€into€account€the€invitation€extended€to€it€by€the€representative€to€sendÐ =Ø Ðone€of€its€members€to€Croatia,€requested€the€State€party€to€confirm€to€the€Secretary-General€by€1Ð )Ä ÐOctober€1993€if€it€wished€to€accept€that€a€mission€be€undertaken€by€the€country€rapporteur€under€theÐ ° Ðadvisory€services€and€technical€assistance€programme€of€the€Centre€for€Human€Rights€to€assist€theÐ  œ ÐGovernment€in€reporting€on€the€implementation€of€the€Convention.Ð í ˆ ÐÌ508.€€In€accordance€with€article€9,€paragraph€1,€of€the€Convention,€the€Committee€requested€furtherÐ Å ` Ðinformation€from€the€State€party€on€measures€taken€to€implement€the€provisions€of€the€Convention,Ð ± L  Ðparticularly€in€view€of€the€concluding€observations€adopted€by€the€Committee€at€its€forty-thirdÐ  8  Ðsession.€€The€State€party€was€requested€to€provide€that€information€by€1€January€1994€so€that€it€mightÐ ‰$  Ðbe€considered€by€the€Committee€at€its€forty-fourth€session.Ð  u  Ðò òCERD€€A/50/18€(1995)ó óÐ e ÐÌÌ143.€€The€Committee,€in€concluding€observations€adopted€at€the€forty-third€session€(see€A/48/18,Ð )Ä Ðparas.€€496-506),€requested€additional€information€from€Croatia€concerning€measures€taken€to€giveÐ ° Ðeffect€to€the€provisions€of€the€Convention.€€The€Committee€considered€the€additional€informationÐ  œ Ð(CERD/C/249/Add.1)€at€its€1087th€and€1088òòthóó€meetings,€held€on€9€and€10€March€1995,€respectivelyÐ í ˆ Ð(see€CERD/C/SR.1087€and€1088).Ð Ù t ÐÌ144.€€The€representative€of€the€State€party€in€presenting€the€additional€information€noted€that€someÐ ± L  Ðof€the€Committee's€previous€queries€had€been€rendered€obsolete€by€time€and€others€had€become€moreÐ  8  Ðpressing.€€As€a€source€of€background€information€he€distributed€copies€of€a€text€titled€"Human€RightsÐ ‰$  Ðin€Croatia".€€He€noted€the€importance€of€the€mission€to€his€country€by€a€member€of€the€CommitteeÐ u  Ðand€further€drew€attention€to€findings€of€the€Council€of€Europe€concerning€the€human€rights€situationÐ aü  Ðin€Croatia.Ð Mè  ÐÌ145.€€Attention€was€drawn€to€the€important€human€rights€safeguards€contained€in€the€ConstitutionÐ %À Ðand€the€Constitutional€Law€on€Human€Rights€and€Freedoms€and€the€Rights€of€National€and€EthnicÐ ¬ ÐCommunities€or€Minorities.€€The€representative€explained€that€a€provision€queried€earlier€by€theÐ ý˜ ÐCommittee€in€which€it€seemed€that€the€Supreme€Court€appointed€members€of€the€Parliament,€wasÐ é„ Ðactually€a€constitutionally€valid€act€of€affirmative€action€to€ensure€parliamentary€representation€ofÐ Õp ÐSerbs.Ð Á\ ÐÌ146.€€With€regard€to€implementation€of€human€rights€safeguards€the€representative€noted€theÐ ™4 Ðenormous€problems€posed€by€the€ongoing€war€and€occupation€of€parts€of€the€national€territory€byÐ …  Ðsecessionist€forces.€€Even€in€areas€away€from€conflict€zones€the€war€caused€major€economic€problemsÐ q  Ðand€presented€the€challenge€of€caring€for€enormous€numbers€of€displaced€persons€(who€constituteÐ ]ø Ðsome€8€per€cent€of€the€Croatian€population).Ð Iä ÐÌ147.€€The€representative€assured€the€Committee€that€following€the€war€there€would€be€no€reprisalsÐ !¼ Ðor€discriminatory€actions€taken€against€Serbian€people€and€that€they€would€enjoy€full€respect€for€theirÐ  ¨ Ðhuman€rights.€€He€affirmed€the€commitment€of€Croatia€to€support€the€work€of€the€InternationalÐ ù ” ÐTribunal€for€the€prosecution€of€persons€responsible€for€serious€violations€of€international€humanitarianÐ å!€  Ðlaw€committed€on€the€territory€of€the€former€Yugoslavia€since€1991€(the€International€Tribunal),€andÐ Ñ"l! Ðin€general€to€bring€violators€of€human€rights€to€justice.Ð ½#X" ÐÌ148.€€The€representative€acknowledged€that€there€were€isolated€incidents€in€Croatia€of€expressionsÐ •%0!$ Ðof€racial€hatred;€however,€the€Government€was€reluctant€to€limit€freedom€of€expression,€in€reactionÐ &"% Ðnot€least€to€the€decades€of€repressive€communist€rule.Ð m'#& ÐÌ149.€€With€regard€to€article€2€of€the€Convention€a€number€of€members€expressed€concern€about€theÐ E)à$( ÐGovernment€of€Croatia's€expressed€intention€to€end€the€mandate€of€the€United€Nations€ProtectionÐ 1*Ì%) ÐForce€and€the€implications€of€such€action€for€the€security€of€minorities€in€various€parts€of€the€country.€Ð +¸&* ÐQuestions€were€asked€concerning€the€extent€to€which€the€Government€would€cooperate€with€theÐ  ,¤'+ Ðwork€of€the€International€Tribunal€in€bringing€war€criminals€to€justice.€€Also,€members€wished€toÐ õ,(, Ðknow€the€extent€of€prosecutions€undertaken€in€the€country€for€acts€of€racial€discrimination€and€Ô_ÔsoughtÐ á-|)- Ðinformation€on€the€activities€of€the€various€State€bodies€charged€with€protecting€the€rights€of€minorityÐ e Ðgroups.Ð Qì ÐÌ150.€€Members€wished€to€know€the€situation€of€various€minority€groups,€including€Roma€gypsies€andÐ )Ä Ðthose€of€Serb€or€Italian€origin.Ð ° ÐÌ151.€€Members€expressed€concern€that€Croatian€law€and€government€policy€seemed€to€fail€to€complyÐ í ˆ Ðwith€the€terms€of€article€4€of€the€Convention€and€they€requested€clarifications€in€this€regard.Ð Ù t ÐÌ152.€€Pursuant€to€the€terms€of€article€5€of€the€Convention,€members€expressed€concern€about€theÐ ± L  Ðsituation€of€large€numbers€of€displaced€people,€mostly€of€the€Muslim€religion,€who€had€sought€shelterÐ  8  Ðin€Croatia€consequent€upon€war€conditions€in€the€Ô_ÔBihacÔ_Ô€area€of€Bosnia€and€Herzegovina.€€The€plightÐ ‰$  Ðof€other€refugees€from€Bosnia€and€Herzegovina€was€also€mentioned€and€reference€was€made€toÐ u  Ðindications€of€possibly€discriminatory€criteria€for€the€granting€of€refugee€status.€€With€regard€to€theÐ aü  Ðgranting€of€nationality,€Members€inquired€about€possibly€discriminatory€policies€militating€againstÐ Mè  Ðpeople€of€the€Muslim€faith€or€of€Serb€origin.Ð 9Ô  ÐÌ153.€€Members€inquired€about€the€Government's€efforts€to€protect€the€Serb€minority€and€drewÐ ¬ Ðattention,€òòinter€aliaóó,€to€reports€of€illegal€evictions€which€the€State€had€failed€to€prevent.€€TheÐ ý˜ ÐGovernment€was€also€asked€to€comment€on€allegations€of€human€rights€abuses€against€Roma€gypsies.Ð é„ ÐÌ154.€€With€regard€to€human€rights€abuses€and€violations€of€the€Convention€in€areas€under€the€de€factoÐ Á\ Ðcontrol€of€secessionist€forces,€members€inquired€as€to€what€Croatia€was€doing€to€bring€about€aÐ ­H Ðpeaceful€reintegration€of€the€territories€and€to€assist€in€the€quest€for€missing€persons.Ð ™4 ÐÌ155.€€Concerning€article€6€of€the€Convention,€members€asked€about€allegations€that€people€of€SerbÐ q  Ðorigin€and€Roma€gypsies€had€great€difficulty€in€obtaining€justice€in€the€courts.€€Enquiries€were€alsoÐ ]ø Ðmade€as€to€the€effectiveness€of€the€judicial€system€in€processing€complaints€of€human€rights€abusesÐ Iä Ðand€the€extent€to€which€courts€have€been€seized€of€such€matters.Ð 5Ð ÐÌ156.€€Pursuant€to€aÔ_ÔrticleÔ_Ô€7€of€the€Convention,€Members€wished€to€know€what€human€rights€trainingÐ  ¨ Ðwas€provided€for€members€of€the€security€forces.Ð ù ” ÐÌ157.€€It€was€asked€whether€the€Government€would€consider€accepting€the€right€of€individual€petitionÐ Ñ"l! Ðunder€article€14€of€the€Convention.Ð ½#X" ÐÌ158.€€In€replying€to€the€members€the€representative€reaffirmed€his€Government's€commitment€toÐ •%0!$ Ðhuman€rights€but€noted€the€extreme€difficulties€presented€by€the€war€situation€and€the€exigencies€ofÐ &"% Ðputting€in€place€the€apparatus€of€a€modern€democracy.€€Further€details€were€provided€on€the€variousÐ m'#& ÐState€institutions€charged€with€protection€of€human€rights,€and€the€role€played€by€the€Council€ofÐ Y(ô#' ÐEurope.€€The€status€of€the€Convention€in€national€law€was€clarified;€any€failure€to€cite€it€in€court€wasÐ E)à$( Ðprobably€attributable€to€a€lack€of€awareness€on€the€part€of€lawyers.Ð 1*Ì%) ÐÌ159.€€With€regard€to€the€International€Tribunal€and€the€initiatives€of€the€United€Nations€to€traceÐ  ,¤'+ Ðmissing€persons,€the€complete€support€of€Croatia€was€reaffirmed€and€the€manner€of€cooperation€wasÐ õ,(, Ðexplained.€€Also,€the€representative€presented€the€rationale€behind€Croatia's€policy€with€regard€to€theÐ á-|)- ÐUnited€Nations€Protection€Force.Ð e ÐÌ160.€€The€representative€explained€that€the€Government€was€Ô_ÔendeavouringÔ_Ô€to€fully€respect€the€rightsÐ =Ø Ðof€all€minority€groups,€including€Roma€gypsies€and€those€of€Serb,€Italian€and€Albanian€origin,€and€ofÐ )Ä Ðdisplaced€people,€and€was€to€the€extent€possible€extending€to€them€all€the€social€and€educationalÐ ° Ðsupport€of€the€State.€€Furthermore,€the€wishes€of€the€various€groups€were€fully€taken€into€accountÐ  œ Ðin€the€development€of€government€policy.€€Expulsions€of€displaced€people€and€decisions€onÐ í ˆ Ðcitizenship€were€in€full€conformity€with€the€law€(which€is,€however,€currently€being€reviewed).Ð Ù t ÐÌ161.€€A€range€of€the€specific€points€raised€by€members€were€addressed€by€the€representative.€Ð ± L  ÐCroatian€law€and€policy€Ô_ÔendeavouredÔ_Ô€to€protect€human€rights,€but€in€a€number€of€instances,€such€asÐ  8  Ðthe€freedom€of€the€media,€the€Government€might€modify€the€current€position.Ð ‰$  ÐÌ162.€€The€representative€stated€that€the€Government€was€anxious€to€respect€the€rights€of€peopleÐ aü  Ðresident€in€areas€under€the€de€facto€control€of€secessionist€forces€and€was€actively€pursuing€a€peacefulÐ Mè  Ðresolution€of€the€conflict.€€It€was€noted€that€recent€agreements€with€the€rebel€forces€had€brought€someÐ 9Ô  Ðimprovement€to€the€quality€of€life€of€residents€of€the€areas.Ð %À ÐÌòòConcluding€observationsóóÐ ý˜ ÐÌ163.€€At€its€1096th€meeting,€held€on€16€March€1995,€the€Committee€adopted€the€followingÐ Õp Ðconcluding€observations.Ð Á\ ÐÌòòIntroductionóóÐ ™4 ÐÌ164.€€The€opportunity€to€continue€the€constructive€dialogue€with€the€State€party€is€welcomed€andÐ q  Ðappreciation€is€expressed€concerning€the€readiness€of€the€State€party€to€provide€the€additionalÐ ]ø Ðinformation€which€had€been€requested€by€the€Committee.€€The€presence€of€a€high-level€delegation€andÐ Iä Ðthe€extent€to€which€they€presented€additional€information€orally€and€in€written€form€to€the€CommitteeÐ 5Ð Ðis€indicative€of€the€desire€of€the€State€party€to€take€seriously€its€obligations€under€the€Convention.€Ð !¼ ÐAlso€acknowledged€with€appreciation€is€the€invitation€and€assistance€offered€to€the€Committee'sÐ  ¨ Ðgood-offices€mission€to€Croatia€which€took€place€in€1994.Ð ù ” ÐÌòòPositive€aspectsóóÐ Ñ"l! ÐÌ165.€€The€stated€commitment€to€normalize€inter-ethnic€relations€is€welcomed€as€are€the€advancesÐ ©$D # Ðwhich€have€been€made€in€democratic€institution-building.€€The€establishment€of€a€Constitutional€CourtÐ •%0!$ Ðis€especially€important€and€ongoing€preparations€for€the€activation€of€bodies€such€as€a€provisionalÐ &"% Ðcourt€of€human€rights€are€noted.€€Satisfaction€is€expressed€concerning€the€adherence€of€Croatia€to€theÐ m'#& ÐCouncil€of€Europe's€human€rights€protection€mechanism€for€non-members.€€The€State€party€is€to€beÐ Y(ô#' Ðcommended€for€its€willingness€to€cooperate€fully€with€the€International€Criminal€Tribunal€for€theÐ E)à$( Ðformer€Yugoslavia€and€with€mechanisms€of€the€Commission€on€Human€Rights,€including€the€SpecialÐ 1*Ì%) ÐProcess€for€disappeared€persons€and€the€Special€Rapporteur€for€the€former€Yugoslavia.Ð +¸&* ÐÌòòFactors€and€difficultiesóóÐ õ,(, ÐÐ á-|)- Ð166.€€It€is€deplored€that€the€State€party,€due€to€the€fact€that€parts€of€its€territory€are€controlled€byÐ e Ðsecessionist€forces,€is€not€in€a€position€to€exercise€control€over€the€whole€of€its€territory€and€inÐ Qì Ðconsequence€cannot€ensure€the€application€of€the€provisions€of€the€Convention€throughout€the€State.€Ð =Ø ÐIt€is€noted€that€the€secessionist€forces€are€responsible€for€systematic€violations€of€human€rights€inÐ )Ä Ðareas€under€their€de€facto€control,€including€rights€ensured€by€the€Convention,€the€principal€victimsÐ ° Ðof€which€are€those€not€belonging€to€the€Serb€or€Croatian€Serb€communities.Ð  œ ÐÌ167.€€The€enormous€problems€for€the€State€party€posed€by€the€effects€of€the€hostilities€in€the€formerÐ Ù t ÐYugoslavia€are€noted.€€In€particular€the€difficulties€in€meeting€the€needs€of€the€large€numbers€ofÐ Å ` Ðrefugees€and€displaced€persons€are€acknowledged.Ð ± L  ÐÌòòPrincipal€subjects€of€concernóóÐ ‰$  ÐÌ168.€€Great€concern€has€been€expressed€concerning€the€earlier€intention€of€the€State€party€not€toÐ aü  Ðpermit€the€military,€civilian€and€police€components€of€the€United€Nations€Protection€Force€to€remainÐ Mè  Ðin€the€country.€€It€is€considered€that€withdrawal€may€have€the€gravest€implications€for€minority€ethnicÐ 9Ô  Ðgroups€and€displaced€persons€in€the€United€Nations€Protected€Areas€(Ô_ÔUNPAsÔ_Ô),€the€demilitarized€zoneÐ %À Ðand€elsewhere.Ð ¬ ÐÌ169.€€While€recognizing€the€great€problems€confronted€by€the€State€party€in€meeting€the€needs€ofÐ é„ Ðrefugees€and€displaced€persons,€unease€is€expressed€as€to€recent€practices€which€have€particularlyÐ Õp Ðaffected€refugees€of€Bosnian€Muslim€origin.€€Note€is€taken€of€reliable€reports€that€many€such€refugeesÐ Á\ Ðhave€failed€or€had€great€difficulty€and€extreme€delay€in€obtaining€the€necessary€documentation€toÐ ­H Ðallow€them€access€to€essential€social€and€humanitarian€services€in€Croatia,€and€have€thus€been€obligedÐ ™4 Ðto€return€to€sometimes€life-threatening€situations€in€Bosnia€and€Herzegovina.€€Concern€is€alsoÐ …  Ðexpressed€about€the€incident€in€late€summer€of€1994€when€the€State€party€refused€to€allow€someÐ q  Ð30,000€externally€displaced€persons,€all€Bosnian€Muslims,€from€the€VelÔ_ÔikaÔ_Ô€Ô_ÔKladusaÔ_Ô€region€of€Ô_ÔBihacÔ_ÔÐ ]ø Ð(Bosnia€and€Herzegovina)€to€leave€appalling€camp€conditions€in€Ô_ÔUNPAÔ_Ô€North€and€the€demilitarizedÐ Iä Ðzone€and€enter€areas€of€Croatia€under€its€control.€€It€is,€however,€noted€that€the€situation€wasÐ 5Ð Ðespecially€complicated€by,€òòinter€aliaóó,€the€influence€exerted€by€leaders€of€the€so-called€"AutonomousÐ !¼ ÐProvince€of€Western€Bosnia",€the€rapidly€changing€war€situation€and€the€eventual€return€of€most€ofÐ  ¨ Ðthe€displaced€people€to€Ô_ÔVelikaÔ_Ô€Ô_ÔKladusaÔ_Ô.Ð ù ” ÐÌ170.€€It€is€noted€that€the€administration€of€the€criminal€justice€system€fails€adequately€to€addressÐ Ñ"l! Ðcrimes€of€an€ethnic€nature.€€Thus€there€has€been€a€failure€to€prosecute€alleged€perpetrators€of€crimesÐ ½#X" Ðdirected€at€ethnic€Serbs€and€it€is€reliably€reported€that€a€number€of€Croatian€Serbs€have€been€unfairlyÐ ©$D # Ðprosecuted€or€excessively€punished€for€alleged€crimes€against€non-Serbs.Ð •%0!$ ÐÌ171.€€Attention€is€drawn€to€the€extent€of€evictions€carried€out€by€State€authorities€against€ethnic€SerbÐ m'#& Ðresidents€of€apartments€formerly€owned€by€the€Yugoslav€National€Army.€€Particular€concern€isÐ Y(ô#' Ðexpressed€concerning€evictions€which€the€Government€declared€to€be€legal€in€apparent€defiance€ofÐ E)à$( Ðdecisions€of€the€Constitutional€Court.€€Inaction€by€the€government€authorities€to€prevent€or€reverseÐ 1*Ì%) Ðevictions€of€ethnic€Serbs€which€it€itself€deems€to€be€illegal€is€also€noted.Ð +¸&* ÐÌ172.€€Concern€is€expressed€regarding€the€influence€of€the€mass€media€in€aggravating€ethnic€tensionÐ õ,(, Ðand€the€failure€of€the€State€to€investigate€and€prosecute€a€number€of€incidents€of€promotion€byÐ á-|)- Ðelements€of€the€print€media€of€hatred€directed€against€ethnic€Serbs.Ð e ÐÌ173.€€Note€is€taken€of€the€provisions€of€the€laws€concerning€naturalization€and€acquisition€ofÐ =Ø Ðcitizenship€and€concern€is€expressed€as€to€the€great€difficulties€encountered€in€the€process€by€manyÐ )Ä Ðwho€are€not€of€ethnic€Croat€origin.Ð ° ÐÌ174.€€Attention€is€drawn€to€the€situation€of€the€Roma€community€in€Croatia€and€to€a€number€ofÐ í ˆ Ðreports€indicating€that€they€are€subject€to€discrimination€and€forms€of€harassment.Ð Ù t ÐÌòòSuggestions€and€recommendationsóóÐ ± L  ÐÌ175.€€The€Committee€recommends€that€the€process€of€democratic€institution-building€proceed€withÐ ‰$  Ðgreat€urgency€and€that€the€provisional€court€of€human€rights€speedily€commence€its€activities.€€It€alsoÐ u  Ðrecommends€that€the€State€party€ensure€that€laws€and€regulations€concerning,€òòinter€aliaóó,Ð aü  Ðnaturalization,€acquisition€of€citizenship,€determination€of€refugee€status€and€tenure€of€rentedÐ Mè  Ðaccommodation€be€implemented€in€a€transparent€non-discriminatory€manner€in€full€conformity€withÐ 9Ô  Ðthe€provisions€of€the€Convention.€€It€further€recommends€that€any€victims€of€discriminatoryÐ %À Ðapplication€of€such€rules€and€regulations€in€violation€of€the€terms€of€the€Convention€receive€redressÐ ¬ Ðto€the€extent€that€this€is€possible.Ð ý˜ ÐÌ176.€€The€Committee€recommends€that€the€State€party€ensure€that€it€administers€justice€in€a€mannerÐ Õp Ðconsistent€with€its€obligations€under€the€Convention€and€that€it€speedily€prosecute€all€alleged€offencesÐ Á\ Ðwhich€appear€to€be€directed€against€persons€because€of€their€racial,€ethnic€or€religious€origins.€€ItÐ ­H Ðrecommends€to€the€State€party€that€it€identify€any€miscarriages€of€justice€which€may€have€occurredÐ ™4 Ðand€been€motivated€by€the€ethnic€origin€of€the€defendants€and€that€it€redress€any€injustice€done.Ð …  ÐÌ177.€€The€Committee€recommends€that€the€State€party€consider€making€the€declaration€under€articleÐ ]ø Ð14,€paragraph€1,€of€the€Convention.òò*óó/Ð Iä ÐÌ178.€€The€Committee€recommends€as€a€matter€of€urgency€that€the€State€party€comply€with€article€4Ð !¼ Ðof€the€Convention€and€prohibit€and€prosecute€all€incitement€to€ethnic€hatred€in€the€media€andÐ  ¨ Ðelsewhere.Ð ù ” ÐÌÌÌÌÌÌÌÌ_________Ð E)à$( Ðà  àòò*óó/à0 ` àAdopted€by€vote€of€the€committee.Ð 1*Ì%)` (#` (# Ðò òCERD€€A/53/18€(1998)ó óÐ e ÐÌ306.€€The€Committee€considered€the€initial,€second€and€third€periodic€reports€of€CroatiaÐ =Ø Ð(Ô_ÔCERDÔ_Ô/C/290/Add.1)€at€its€1276th€and€1277th€meetings,€on€3€and€4€August€1998,€and,€at€its€1295thÐ )Ä Ðmeeting,€on€17€August€1998,€adopted€the€following€concluding€observations.Ð ° ÐÌòòIntroductionóóÐ í ˆ ÐÌ307.€€The€Committee€welcomes€the€report€submitted€by€the€State€party,€in€particular€the€informationÐ Å ` Ðon€economic,€social€and€cultural€rights€of€minorities.€€The€Committee€further€welcomes€theÐ ± L  Ðsupplementary€information€given€to€it€during€the€examination€of€the€report.€€It€expresses€itsÐ  8  Ðappreciation€for€the€dialogue€with€the€high-level€delegation€and€for€the€answers€given€orally€to€theÐ ‰$  Ðwide€range€of€questions€asked€by€members.Ð u  ÐÌ308.€€The€Committee€regrets,€however,€that€the€report€contains€information€almost€exclusively€onÐ Mè  Ðthe€legal€framework€for€the€protection€of€rights€of€minorities€and€does€not€give€sufficient€informationÐ 9Ô  Ðon€the€implementation€of€such€legislation€or€on€the€extent€to€which€minority€communities€enjoy€theÐ %À Ðprotection€afforded€by€the€Convention.€€The€Committee€further€regrets€that€the€report€does€notÐ ¬ Ðsufficiently€respond€to€the€Committee's€concluding€observations€on€the€State€party's€special€reportÐ ý˜ Ðexamined€in€1995€(A/50/18,€paras.€€163-178).€€Ð é„ ÐÌòòFactors€and€difficulties€impeding€the€implementation€of€the€ConventionóóÐ Á\ ÐÌ309.€€The€Committee€notes€that€the€State€party€is€going€through€a€difficult€period€of€political,Ð ™4 Ðeconomic€and€social€change€as€a€consequence€of€the€diverse€conflicts€in€the€former€Yugoslavia,€andÐ …  Ðthat€these€factors,€together€with€major€population€movements,€have€resulted€in€significant€obstaclesÐ q  Ðto€the€full€implementation€of€the€Convention.Ð ]ø ÐÌòòPositive€aspectsóóÐ 5Ð ÐÌ310.€€The€Committee€welcomes€the€ongoing€process€of€gradual€normalization€of€inter-ethnic€relationsÐ  ¨ Ðon€the€territory€of€the€State€party.€€It€expresses€particular€appreciation€of€the€declared€commitmentÐ ù ” Ðof€the€State€party€to€undertake€confidence-building€measures€in€this€field€and€welcomes€its€spirit€ofÐ å!€  Ðcooperation€with€the€Committee€and€appropriate€United€Nations€bodies.Ð Ñ"l! ÐÌòòPrincipal€subjects€of€concernóóÐ ©$D # ÐÌ311.€€The€Committee€reiterates€its€observations€regarding€the€lack€of€clarity€as€to€the€variousÐ &"% Ðdefinitions€used€in€the€report€and€in€domestic€legislation€to€describe€ethnic€and€national€minorities.Ð m'#& ÐÌ312.€€With€respect€to€article€2€of€the€Convention,€the€Committee€is€concerned€about€the€reductionÐ E)à$( Ðof€the€proportionate€representation€of€the€Serbian€ethnic€community€in€the€Croatian€ParliamentÐ 1*Ì%) Ðfollowing€the€proclamation€of€a€constitutional€law€on€temporary€suspension€of€certain€provisions€forÐ +¸&* Ðfreedoms€and€the€rights€of€national€and€ethnic€communities€and€minorities€in€the€State€party.Ð  ,¤'+ ÐÌ313.€€The€Committee€notes€with€concern€the€lack€of€legal€provisions€required€in€order€to€implementÐ á-|)- Ðthe€State€party's€obligations€under€article€4€(b)€of€the€Convention,€that€is€the€absence€of€legislativeÐ e Ðmeasures€declaring€illegal€and€prohibiting€organizations€which€promote€and€incite€racialÐ Qì Ðdiscrimination.€€Ð =Ø ÐÌ314.€€With€respect€to€article€4€of€the€Convention,€concern€is€also€expressed€at€incidents€ofÐ ° Ðhate-speech€directed€at€the€Serb€minority€in€Croat€media,€and€the€failure€of€the€State€party€to€takeÐ  œ Ðadequate€measures€to€investigate€and€prosecute€those€responsible€for€promoting€hatred€and€ethnicÐ í ˆ Ðtension€through€print€and€audio-visual€media.Ð Ù t ÐÌ315.€€While€recognizing€the€problems€confronted€by€the€State€party€in€meeting€the€needs€of€largeÐ ± L  Ðnumbers€of€refugees,€returnees€and€displaced€persons€and€while€noting€the€recent€establishment€ofÐ  8  Ða€National€Ô_ÔProgrammeÔ_Ô€for€Returns,€the€Committee€remains€concerned€at€the€serious€difficulties€andÐ ‰$  Ðviolence€encountered€by€returnees€and€displaced€persons,€in€particular€ethnic€Serbs,€in€returning€toÐ u  Ðareas€of€origin,€or€by€refugees€when€claiming€their€right€to€have€property€restored€to€them€or€toÐ aü  Ðreceive€compensation€upon€return€to€their€place€of€origin.€€In€this€respect€the€Committee€is€concernedÐ Mè  Ðabout€the€difficulties€of€the€return€of€Serbs€and€others€displaced€in€Eastern€Ô_ÔSlavoniaÔ_Ô,€Ô_ÔBaranjaÔ_Ô€andÐ 9Ô  ÐWestern€Ô_ÔSirmiumÔ_Ô.€€The€Committee€calls€the€attention€of€the€State€party€to€its€generalÐ %À Ðrecommendation€XXII€(49)€of€16€August€1996€concerning€the€rights€of€refugees€and€displacedÐ ¬ Ðpersons.Ð ý˜ ÐÌ316.€€With€respect€to€article€5€of€the€Convention,€the€Committee€is€further€concerned€that€articles€8Ð Õp Ðand€16€of€the€Croatian€Law€on€Citizenship€seem€to€establish€different€criteria€for€ethnic€CroatsÐ Á\ Ðcompared€with€other€minorities€in€Croatia€in€granting€citizenship.€€It€is€also€concerned€at€the€excessiveÐ ­H Ðdelays€in€the€processing€of€applications€for€citizenship,€in€particular€those€of€ethnic€Serbs,€which€haveÐ ™4 Ðresulted€in€applicants€losing€social€and€educational€benefits.Ð …  ÐÌ317.€€As€regards€the€implementation€of€articles€5€and€6€of€the€Convention,€the€report€does€not€containÐ ]ø Ðsufficient€information€as€to€the€steps€taken€to€ensure€the€practical€implementation€of€the€right€to€equalÐ Iä Ðtreatment€before€the€courts€and€effective€remedies€so€that€victims€of€racial€discrimination€can€secureÐ 5Ð Ðthe€punishment€of€discriminatory€acts€and€reparation€for€injury.€€The€Committee€is€concerned€atÐ !¼ Ðcontinuing€reports€about€the€failure€of€the€criminal€justice€system€to€adequately€deal€with€all€crimesÐ  ¨ Ðof€an€ethnic€nature€and€the€subsequent€tendency€to€fail€to€prosecute€alleged€perpetrators€of€crimesÐ ù ” Ðdirected€at€ethnic€Serbs,€whereas€there€are€reports€that€Croatian€Serbs€have€been€unfairly€prosecutedÐ å!€  Ðor€excessively€punished€when€allegations€of€illegal€activity€directed€at€non-Serbs€have€been€brought.Ð Ñ"l! ÐÌ318.€€With€respect€to€article€7€of€the€Convention€concern€is€expressed€that€according€to€continuingÐ ©$D # Ðreports,€strong€control€is€exercised€by€the€Government€of€certain€mass€media,€particularly€television,Ð •%0!$ Ðand€that€some€graphic€media€are€allowed€to€use€discriminatory€speech.€€Concern€is€also€expressed€thatÐ &"% Ðreports€from€United€Nations€bodies€point€to€a€lack€of€information€and€awareness€among€the€CroatÐ m'#& Ðpopulation€of€international€human€rights€standards€in€general€and€of€the€Convention€in€particular.Ð Y(ô#' ÐÌòòSuggestions€and€recommendationsóóÐ 1*Ì%) ÐÌ319.€€With€respect€of€article€2€of€the€Convention,€the€Committee€recommends€that€the€State€partyÐ  ,¤'+ Ðreinstate€the€provisions€for€the€fair€and€proportionate€representation€of€the€Serbian€ethnic€communityÐ õ,(, Ðin€the€Croatian€Parliament.Ð á-|)- Ї320.€€The€Committee€recommends€that€the€State€party€comply€fully€with€the€obligations€under€articleÐ e Ð4€of€the€Convention€and€that€necessary€legislative€measures€be€taken€in€order€to€give€full€effect€to€theÐ Qì Ðprovisions€of€that€article€to€declare€illegal€and€prohibit€organizations€which€promote€and€incite€racialÐ =Ø Ðdiscrimination€and€also€take€measures€against€the€use€of€mass€media€for€incitement€to€ethnic€hatred.€Ð )Ä ÐIn€this€last€respect€the€Committee€reiterates€its€previous€recommendation€to€the€State€party€to€complyÐ ° Ðwith€article€4€of€the€Convention€and€prohibit€and€prosecute€all€acts€of€incitement€to€ethnic€hatred.Ð  œ ÐÌ321.€€The€Committee€recommends€that€the€State€party€introduce€adequate€measures€to€ensure€andÐ Ù t Ðmonitor€the€implementation€in€practice€of€the€newly€introduced€National€Ô_ÔProgrammeÔ_Ô€for€Return,€inÐ Å ` Ðparticular€with€respect€to€the€Serbs€displaced€in€Eastern€Ô_ÔSlavoniaÔ_Ô,€Ô_ÔBaranjaÔ_Ô€and€Western€Ô_ÔSirmiumÔ_Ô€andÐ ± L  Ðrecommends€that€the€State€party€inform€it€about€the€nature€and€results€of€its€efforts€in€its€next€periodicÐ  8  Ðreport.€€The€Committee€further€urges€the€State€party,€as€a€matter€of€urgency,€to€take€steps€to€ensureÐ ‰$  Ðthe€right€to€security€of€person€and€protection€against€violence€or€bodily€harm€of€returnees.Ð u  ÐÌ322.€€With€respect€to€the€acquisition€of€citizenship,€the€Committee€recommends€that€the€State€partyÐ Mè  Ðtake€steps€to€ensure€that€all€provisions€of€the€Croatian€Law€on€Citizenship€are€in€conformity€withÐ 9Ô  Ðarticle€5€of€the€Convention,€and€that€the€law€is€implemented€in€a€non-discriminatory€manner.Ð %À ÐÌ323.€€The€Committee€recommends€that€the€State€party€take€measures€to€ensure€the€prosecution€ofÐ ý˜ Ðpersons€allegedly€responsible€for€having€committed€racially€motivated€crimes,€regardless€of€the€racial,Ð é„ Ðethnic€or€religious€origin€of€the€perpetrator€or€the€victim.€€The€Committee€further€recommends€thatÐ Õp Ðthe€State€party€include€detailed€information€on€such€measures€in€its€next€periodic€report,€as€well€asÐ Á\ Ðinformation€on€racially€motivated€crimes,€including€for€example,€the€number€of€complaints€and€judicialÐ ­H Ðdecisions€with€regard€to€compensation€awarded€to€victims€or€criminal€sanctions.Ð ™4 ÐÌ324.€€The€Committee€recommends€that€the€State€party€use€all€effective€measures€to€familiarize€theÐ q  Ðpublic€with€the€Convention,€in€order€to€change€traditional€prejudices€against€certain€minorities,€andÐ ]ø Ðto€convey€messages€of€tolerance.€€In€this€regard,€the€State€party€should€continue€to€provideÐ Iä Ðinstruction€on€international€human€rights€standards€in€schools€and€organize€training€Ô_ÔprogrammesÔ_Ô€forÐ 5Ð Ðpersons€engaged€in€the€administration€of€justice,€including€judges,€lawyers€and,€in€particular,€in€theÐ !¼ Ðlight€of€general€recommendation€XIII€(42)€of€16€March€1993€relating€to€law€enforcement€officials.Ð  ¨ ÐÌ325.€€The€Committee€recommends€that€the€State€party€take€concrete€measures€in€order€to€guaranteeÐ å!€  Ðfreedom€of€association€without€distinction€as€to€ethnic€origin€and€that€mass€media,€in€all€their€forms,Ð Ñ"l! Ðincluding€electronic€form,€are€open€to€all€ethnic€groups€without€distinction.€€The€Committee€alsoÐ ½#X" Ðrecommends€that€the€State€party€take€effective€measures€in€order€to€stop€racist€and€discriminatoryÐ ©$D # Ðspeech€in€some€graphic€media.Ð •%0!$ ÐÌ326.€€In€its€forthcoming€report,€the€State€party€should€include€detailed€information€relating€to€theÐ m'#& Ðpractical€implementation€of€the€Convention,€including€information€on€the€independence€of€theÐ Y(ô#' Ðjudiciary;€the€reintegration€of€Eastern€Ô_ÔSlavoniaÔ_Ô;€what€it€has€done€to€discharge€its€obligation€toÐ E)à$( Ðcooperate€with€the€International€Tribunal€for€the€Former€Yugoslavia;€clarification€as€to€the€legalÐ 1*Ì%) Ðdefinitions€used€for€describing€different€minorities;€and€updated€information€on€the€demographicÐ +¸&* Ðcomposition€of€the€Croatian€population.Ð  ,¤'+ ÐÌ327.€€The€Committee€recommends€that€the€State€party€ratify€the€amendments€to€article€8,€paragraphÐ á-|)- Ð6,€of€the€Convention,€adopted€on€15€January€1992€at€the€Fourteenth€Meeting€of€States€Parties€to€theÐ e ÐConvention.Ð Qì ÐÌ328.€€It€is€noted€that€the€State€party€has€not€made€the€declaration€provided€for€in€article€14€of€theÐ )Ä ÐConvention,€and€some€members€of€the€Committee€requested€that€the€possibility€of€such€a€declarationÐ ° Ðbe€considered.€€Ð  œ ÐÌ329.€€The€Committee€recommends€that€the€State€party's€next€periodic€report,€due€on€8€October€1998,Ð Ù t Ðbe€an€updating€report€and€that€it€address€all€the€points€raised€in€the€present€observations.Ð  Å ` Ðò òCERD€€A/57/18€(2002)ó óÐ e ÐÌ87.€€The€Committee€considered€the€fourth€and€fifth€periodic€reports€of€Croatia€(Ô_ÔCERDÔ_Ô/C/373/Add.1)Ð =Ø Ðat€its€1499th€and€1500th€meetings,€(CERN/C/SR.1499€and€1500)€on6and7€March€2002,€and,€at€itsÐ )Ä Ð1517th€meeting€(Ô_ÔCERDÔ_Ô/C/SR.1517),€on€19€March€2002,€adopted€the€following€concludingÐ ° Ðobservations.€Ð  œ ÐÌA.€€òòIntroductionóóÐ Ù t ÐÌ88.€€The€Committee€welcomes€the€report€submitted€by€the€State€party€and€expresses€its€appreciationÐ ± L  Ðfor€the€dialogue€with€the€high„level€delegation€and€for€the€answers€given€orally€tothe€wide€range€ofÐ  8  Ðquestions€asked€by€members.€€While€appreciating€the€extensive€supplementary€information€given€toÐ ‰$  Ðit€during€the€examination€of€the€report,€the€Committee€regrets€that€the€responses€to€its€previousÐ u  Ðconcluding€observations€(Ô_ÔCERDÔ_Ô/C/304/Add.55),€dated,10February1999€were€not€included€in€theÐ aü  Ðbody€of€the€State€party€report.Ð Mè  ÐÌ89.€€The€Committee€regrets€further€that€the€report€contains€information€mainly€on€the€legalÐ %À Ðframework€for€the€protection€of€rights€of€minorities€and€does€not€give€sufficient€information€on€theÐ ¬ Ðimplementation€of€such€legislation€or€on€the€extent€to€which€minority€communities€enjoy€theÐ ý˜ Ðprotection€afforded€by€the€Convention.€Ð é„ ÐÌB.€€òòFactors€and€difficulties€impeding€the€implementation€of€the€ConventionóóÐ Á\ ÐÌ90.€€The€Committee€notes€that€the€State€party€is€going€through€a€challenging€period€of€economic€andÐ ™4 Ðsocial€change€in€a€period€of€post„war€reconstruction,€which€has€resulted€in€obstacles€to€the€fullÐ …  Ðimplementation€of€the€Convention.€Ð q  ÐÌC.€€òòPositive€aspectsóóÐ Iä ÐÌ91.€€The€Committee€welcomes€the€efforts€of€the€State€party€to€introduce€legislative€reform€inÐ !¼ Ðaccordance€with€international€standards,€and€to€establish€institutions,€programmes€and€policies€toÐ  ¨ Ðpromote€equality.€€In€particular,€the€Committee€welcomes€the€adoption€of€the€Associations€Act,€theÐ ù ” Ðestablishment€of€the€Office€for€Human€Rights,€the€elaboration€of€a€project€of€education€aimed€atÐ å!€  Ðachieving€equality€for€minorities€and€promoting€multiculturalism,€the€implementation€of€programmesÐ Ñ"l! Ðof€human€rights€education€within€the€school€environment,€and€the€introduction€of€human€rightsÐ ½#X" Ðtraining€for€police€officers€and€judges.Ð ©$D # ÐÌ92.€€The€Committee€notes€with€appreciation€the€State€partyððs€statement€of€cooperation€with€theÐ &"% ÐInternational€Criminal€Tribunal€for€the€Former€Yugoslavia€(Ô_ÔICTYÔ_Ô)€as€well€as€with€relevant€UnitedÐ m'#& ÐNations€bodies,€including€the€Office€of€the€High€Commissioner€for€Human€Rights€(Ô_ÔOHCHRÔ_Ô),€andÐ Y(ô#' Ðregional€organizations.Ð E)à$( ÐÌ93.€€The€Committee€welcomes€the€State€partyððs€stated€commitment€to€involve€non-governmentalÐ +¸&* Ðorganizations€(Ô_ÔNGOsÔ_Ô)€in€the€preparation€of€its€next€periodic€report€to€the€Committee,€as€well€as€itsÐ  ,¤'+ Ðstatement€of€intent€to€subscribe€to€article€14€of€the€Convention.Ð õ,(, ÐÐ á-|)- ÐD.€€òòConcerns€and€recommendationsóóÐ e ÐÌ94.€€The€Committee€reiterates€its€concern€about€the€lack€of€clarity€as€to€the€various€definitions€usedÐ =Ø Ðin€the€report€and€in€domestic€legislation€to€describe€ethnic€and€national€minorities.€€The€CommitteeÐ )Ä Ðis€concerned€that€the€recent€withdrawal€of€the€draft€Constitutional€Law€on€the€Rights€of€NationalÐ ° ÐMinorities€will€create€further€delays€in€legislative€protection€for€such€minorities.€€TheCommitteeÐ  œ Ðrecommends€that€the€State€party€include€in€its€next€periodic€report€clarification€as€to€the€legalÐ í ˆ Ðdefinitions€used€for€describing€the€various€minorities.€€It€encourages€the€State€party€to€finalize€theÐ Ù t ÐConstitutional€Law€on€the€Rights€of€National€Minorities€in€conformity€with€international€standardsÐ Å ` Ðand€to€include€information€regarding€this€matter€in€its€next€report.Ð ± L  ÐÌ95.€€It€is€noted€that€statistical€data€provided€in€the€State€party€report€are€based€on€the1991censusÐ ‰$  Ðand€that€the€results€of€the€2001€census€are€still€pending.€€The€Committee€is€concerned€that€the€delayÐ u  Ðin€the€publication€of€the€results€may€create€distrust€among€communities€and€has€presented€someÐ aü  Ðdifficulties€for€the€Committee€in€undertaking€an€effective€analysis€of€issues€affecting€minorities.€€TheÐ Mè  ÐCommittee€strongly€encourages€the€State€party€to€finalize€and€publish€the€general€population€censusÐ 9Ô  Ðconducted€in€2001€in€order€òòinter€aliaóó€to€implement€provisions€of€the€law€affecting€politicalÐ %À Ðrepresentation€as€well€as€to€ensure,€as€necessary,€special€protection€and€benefits€for€ethnic€minorities.€Ð ¬ ÐMoreover,€it€is€recommended€that€the€next€periodic€report€include€updated€statistical€data€on€theÐ ý˜ Ðdemographic€composition€of€the€Croatian€population.€€Ð é„ ÐÌ96.€€With€respect€to€article€2€of€the€Convention,€the€Committee€remains€concerned€about€the€limitedÐ Á\ Ðrepresentation€of€minorities€in€the€Croatian€Parliament.€€While€it€is€noted€that€the€Act€on€Election€ofÐ ­H ÐRepresentatives€to€the€Croatian€State€Parliament€provides€for€proportional€representation€ofÐ ™4 Ðminorities,€the€Committee€is€concerned€that€not€all€minority€groups€are€included€in€this€process€whileÐ …  Ðothers€are€Ô_ÔunderrepresentedÔ_Ô.€€In€particular,€it€is€noted€that€Ô_ÔBosniansÔ_Ô€are€not€included€in€the€list€ofÐ q  Ðminorities€who€may€exercise€the€right€to€be€represented€in€Parliament.€€It€is€recommended€that€theÐ ]ø ÐState€party€take€further€measures€to€ensure€fair€and€adequate€representation€of€all€groups€ofÐ Iä Ðminorities€in€the€Croatian€Parliament€and€to€include€in€its€next€report€information€concerning€theÐ 5Ð Ðmeasures€taken€in€this€regard.Ð !¼ ÐÌ97.€€The€Committee€expresses€concern€at€the€continued€practice€of€segregation€of€Roma€childrenÐ ù ” Ðwithin€the€educational€system€and€at€the€reports€of€discrimination€against€the€Roma€regarding€accessÐ å!€  Ðto€employment,€health,€political€representation€and€citizenship€rights.€€The€Committee€recommendsÐ Ñ"l! Ðthat€the€State€party€pay€particular€attention€to€the€situation€of€the€Roma€and€take€effective€measuresÐ ½#X" Ðto€prevent€the€segregation€of€Roma€children€within€the€educational€system.€€The€Committee€furtherÐ ©$D # Ðrecommends€that€the€State€party€strengthen€its€efforts€to€addressthe€high€drop„out€and€poorÐ •%0!$ Ðperformance€rates€of€Roma€children€and€guarantee€non-discrimination,€especially€as€regards€respectÐ &"% Ðfor€their€cultural€identity,€language€and€values.€€The€Committee€also€encourages€the€State€party€toÐ m'#& Ðreinforce€its€efforts€to€train€and€recruit€Roma€teachers€and€to€prevent€discrimination€against€the€RomaÐ Y(ô#' Ðin€access€to€employment,€health,€political€representation€and€citizenship€rights.Ð E)à$( ÐÌ98.€€The€Committee€reiterates€its€concern€regarding€the€lack€of€legal€provisions€to€implement€theÐ +¸&* ÐState€partyððs€obligations€under€article€4€(b)€of€the€Convention,€notably€the€absence€of€legislativeÐ  ,¤'+ Ðmeasures€prohibiting€incitement€to€racial€discrimination€and€violence.€€Concern€is€also€expressedÐ õ,(, Ðabout€the€adequacy€of€efforts€by€the€State€party€to€investigate€and€prosecute€persons€responsible€forÐ á-|)- Ðfomenting€ethnic€hatred,€especially€in€the€localities€affected€by€war.€€In€this€connection,€theÐ e ÐCommittee€notes€that€there€have€been€no€convictions€by€the€courts€for€incitement€to€racialÐ Qì Ðdiscrimination€and€violence,€despite€the€significant€number€of€such€allegations.€€The€CommitteeÐ =Ø Ðrecommends€that€the€State€party€comply€fully€with€the€obligations€under€article€4€of€the€ConventionÐ )Ä Ðand€that€the€necessary€legislative€measures€be€taken€in€order€to€give€full€effect€to€the€provisions€ofÐ ° Ðthat€article€and€to€declare€illegal€and€prosecute€incitement€to€ethnic€hatred€and€racial€violence.Ð  œ ÐÌ99.€€While€noting€the€challenges€confronted€by€the€State€party€in€meeting€the€needs€of€large€numbersÐ Ù t Ðof€refugees,€returnees€and€displaced€persons,€the€Committee€is€concerned€that€return€is€still€hinderedÐ Å ` Ðby€legal€and€administrative€impediments€and€hostile€attitudes€adopted€by€some€central€and€localÐ ± L  Ðofficials.€€In€this€regard,€concern€is€further€expressed€about€allegations€of€inconsistency€and€lack€ofÐ  8  Ðtransparency€in€the€National€Programme€for€Return.€€The€Committee€is€particularly€concerned€aboutÐ ‰$  Ðthe€insufficient€efforts€of€the€State€party€to€prevent€discrimination€against€minorities,€especiallyÐ u  ÐCroatian€Serbs,€in€addressing€issues€of€restitution€of€property,€tenancy€and€occupancy€rights,Ð aü  Ðreconstruction€assistance,€as€well€as€the€inter„related€issues€of€residency€and€citizenship€rights.€€TheÐ Mè  ÐCommittee€recommends€that€the€State€party€introduce€further€measures€to€ensure€fairness,Ð 9Ô  Ðconsistency€and€transparency€in€the€National€Programme€for€Return.€€Further,€the€State€party€isÐ %À Ðstrongly€urged€to€take€effective€measures€to€prevent€discrimination,€especially€against€Croatian€Serbs,Ð ¬ Ðparticularly€as€regards€the€restitution€of€their€property,€tenancy€and€occupancy€rights,€access€toÐ ý˜ Ðreconstruction€assistance€and€rights€to€residency€and€citizenship.€€€It€is€recommended€that€the€StateÐ é„ Ðparty€provide€in€its€next€periodic€report€information€concerning€the€steps€taken€to€introduce€effectiveÐ Õp Ðlegal€and€administrative€regimes€to€resolve€these€issues.€€The€Committee€draws€the€attention€of€theÐ Á\ ÐState€party€to€its€general€recommendation€XXII€concerning€the€rights€of€refugees€and€displacedÐ ­H Ðpersons.Ð ™4 ÐÌ100.€€With€respect€to€article€5€of€the€Convention,€the€Committee€restates€its€concern€regardingÐ q  Ðinconsistency€between€articles€8€and€16€of€the€Croatian€Law€on€Citizenship,€which€appears€toÐ ]ø Ðestablish€different€criteria€in€granting€citizenship€to€ethnic€Croats€as€compared€to€other€nationalitiesÐ Iä Ðin€Croatia.€€Concern€is€expressed€that€many€former€long„term€residents€of€Croatia,€particularlyÐ 5Ð Ðpersons€of€Serb€origin€and€other€minorities,€have€been€unable€to€regain€residency€status€despite€theirÐ !¼ Ðpre„conflict€attachment€to€Croatia.€€With€respect€to€the€acquisition€of€citizenship,€the€CommitteeÐ  ¨ Ðagain€strongly€urges€that€the€State€party€undertake€measures€to€ensure€that€all€provisions€of€theÐ ù ” ÐCroatian€Law€on€Citizenship€are€in€conformity€with€article€5€of€the€Convention,€and€that€the€law€isÐ å!€  Ðimplemented€in€a€non„discriminatory€manner.€€The€Committee€also€recommends€that€measures€beÐ Ñ"l! Ðtaken€to€ensure€that€former€long„term€residents€of€Croatia€are€able€to€reclaim€their€status€as€citizensÐ ½#X" Ðand/or€residents€on€a€non„discriminatory€basis.€Ð ©$D # ÐÌ101.€€The€Committee€is€concerned€about€repeated€claims€of€discriminatory€application€of€the€rightÐ &"% Ðto€equal€treatment€before€the€law,€particularly€in€the€area€of€property€claims,€where€the€courtsÐ m'#& Ðreportedly€continue€to€favour€persons€of€Croat€origin.€€The€Committee€also€notes€the€large€backlogÐ Y(ô#' Ðof€cases€before€the€courts,€which€impedes€access€to€justice.€€The€Committee€recommends€that€theÐ E)à$( ÐState€party€reinforce€its€efforts€to€ensure€non„discrimination€in€the€application€of€the€right€to€equalÐ 1*Ì%) Ðtreatment€before€the€law,€particularly€in€the€area€of€repossession€of€property.€€The€Committee€furtherÐ +¸&* Ðrecommends€that€the€State€party€include€detailed€information€in€its€next€periodic€report€concerningÐ  ,¤'+ Ðthe€measures€taken€to€reduce€the€backlog€of€cases€before€the€courts€and€improve€access€to€justice.€Ð õ,(, ÐÐ á-|)- Ð102.€€While€noting€the€efforts€of€the€State€party€to€introduce€training€for€the€police€and€judges,€theÐ e ÐCommittee€is€concerned€about€the€sufficiency€of€efforts€to€raise€public€awareness€about€theÐ Qì ÐConvention,€promote€tolerance€and€discourage€prejudice€against€certain€minorities.€€The€CommitteeÐ =Ø Ðrecommends€that€the€State€party€strengthen€its€efforts€to€familiarize€the€public€with€the€Convention,Ð )Ä Ðin€order€to€reduce€the€level€of€prejudice€against€certain€minorities,€and€to€promote€tolerance.€€In€thisÐ ° Ðregard,€the€State€party€should€reinforce€its€efforts€to€provide€instruction€on€international€human€rightsÐ  œ Ðstandards€in€all€schools€and€organize€training€programmes€for€persons€engaged€in€the€administrationÐ í ˆ Ðof€justice,€including€judges,€lawyers€and€law€enforcement€officials.Ð Ù t ÐÌ103.€€The€Committee€recommends€that€the€State€party€take€into€account€the€relevant€parts€of€theÐ ± L  ÐDurban€Declaration€and€Programme€of€Action€when€implementing€the€Convention€in€the€domesticÐ  8  Ðlegal€order,€in€particular€in€respect€of€articles€2€to€7€of€the€Convention,€and€that€it€include€in€its€nextÐ ‰$  Ðperiodic€report€information€on€action€plans€or€other€measures€taken€to€implement€the€DurbanÐ u  ÐDeclaration€and€Programme€of€Action€at€the€national€level.Ð aü  ÐÌ104.€€The€Committee€recommends€that€the€State€party€ratify€the€amendments€to€article€8,€paragraphÐ 9Ô  Ð6,€of€the€Convention,€adopted€on€15€January€1992€at€the€Fourteenth€Meeting€of€States€Parties€to€theÐ %À ÐConvention€and€endorsed€by€the€General€Assembly€in€its€resolution€47/111.€Ð ¬ ÐÌ105.€€The€Committee€recommends€that€the€State€party€submit€its€sixth€periodic€report€together€withÐ é„ Ðthe€seventh€report,€due€on€8€October€2004,€as€an€updating€report€responding€to€the€points€raised€inÐ Õp Ðthe€present€observations.Ð Á\ Ð