OSCE HDIM: NO ISSUES TO RAISE FOR CROATIA

UNCLAS ZAGREB 000385 SIPDIS SENSITIVE DEPT FOR EUR/RPM Jessica Fisher E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: OSCE PHUM PREL PGOV KDEM SUBJECT: OSCE HDIM: NO ISSUES TO RAISE FOR CROATIA REF: STATE 59944 ¶1. (SBU) In response to reftel, Post believes the Government of Croatia generally respects the human rights of its citizens. Basic freedoms such as democratic elections, freedom of religion, and freedom of press exist within the country. Corruption and transparency are problematic areas for the government. The judicial system continues to suffer from a case backlog, though some progress was made during the year, and trials do not always meet the highest standard. Societal violence and discrimination against ethnic minorities, particularly Serb and Roma, remains a problem, but the government has taken some steps to address these issues. Implementation of anti-discrimination laws remained spotty, resulting in continued discrimination in the hiring of ethnic minorities, particularly Serbs, at the local public administrative level. On these issues, Post will continue engagement with the GOC bilaterally. BRADTKE