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The overall human rights situation in Republic of Croatia has continued improving gradually in 2004, according to the Annual Report of the Croatian Helsinki Committee for Human Rights. The report was presented today in the Centre for Human Rights in Zagreb by Zarko Puhovski, the Chairman of the Committee and Srdjan Dvornik, the Executive Director of the CHC. (20-JUN-05)
 

On Monday, May 16, the Ministry of Justice introduced a new programme of free legal aid for the members of Roma national minority in the Republic of Croatia. The free legal aid programme is a part of anti-discrimination measures towards Roma communitites, underlined in the National Programme for Roma people. Overall cost of the programme for this year is 55.000,00 € and will be carried out by 32 lawyers from Zagreb and Medjimurska, Brodsko-Posavska and Primorsko-goranska County. (18-MAY-05)
 

In the most recent report on the war crime trials in Croatian courts, the OSCE mission to Republic of Croatia recognized improvement in Croatian judiciary. This improvement also brings a positive reflect on the willingnes of the Croatian courts to take over some of the ICTY cases, according to the ICTY Completion Strategy. However, the report underlines the neccesity of additional reforms in order to ensure impartial adjudication of war crimes in the Republic of Croatia. (29-APR-05)
 

The Parliamentary Committee for Internal Affairs and National Security reached its conclusions one month after the parliamentary investigation on the case of five journalists accused by the Counter Intelligence Service for media-intelligence conspiracy against Republic of Croatia. However, the conclusions prolonged the resolution of the affair, so far without any sanctions for those who are responsible. (18-MAR-2005)
 

The Croatian Helsinki Committee for Human Rights organized on February 27 at the Aquarius Club a humanitarian concert for victims of human rights violations.  A number of very popular bands and DJs from all over Republic of Croatia performed onstage and entire contribution of well-attended concert was dedicated to providing direct help to the human rights victims. (1-MAR-05)
 

The special working group of the Parliamentary Committee for Internal Affairs and National Security is opening an investigation today of Croatian Counter Intelligence service (CIS). The principal cause for the investigation is the recent public address of five journalists who were the subject of secret treatment of the CIS during 2003 and 2004, under the allegation that they have deliberately published wrong information about Hague fugitive general Gotovina in order to obstruct Republic of Croatia to enter the European Union. (11-FEB-05)
 

If the Croatian authorities fail to turn in general Gotovina until the beginning of March 17 to the Hague Tribunal, the European Commission will postpone the negotiations for joining the EU – warned Oli Rehn, commissioner to the European Commission for Enlargement.  (2-FEB-05)
 

Except of some previous irregularities occuring again, second round of the presidential elections, held on January 16th, was conducted in a democratic atmosphere according to the electional law. Although GONG?s preliminary overall assesment of the second round of the elections is positive, irregularities with the voters lists and serious violations of electional silence were registered again. (JAN-17-05)
 

On the elections held on January 2nd 2005 4 403 871 croatian citizens with the rigth to vote chosed new Croatian president. Appart from few exceptions, the elections were conducted according to the electional law and international standards. Appropriate organization of the elections by the State Election Commission and Polling Station Commissions also contributed to the overall calm atmosphere. (03-JAN-05)