Representatives of the Platform 112 met with the Prime Minister of the Republic of Croatia, Zoran Milanović, to discuss ways of cooperation with the aim of achieving 112 specific requests of the Platform 112 that would contribute to the realization of the rule of law in Croatia. Prime Minister Milanović pointed out that the talks have just begun, and that this is the first in a series of meetings, after which the representatives of the associations noted that they will continue targeted discussions on specific issues at the level of individual ministries.
Sandra Bencic from the Center for Peace Studies pointed out that the current free legal aid system is inefficient, bureaucratic and as such does not provide access to justice for citizens who cannot pay for legal aid themselves. She emphasized that associations have developed models for changing the system, and that a political decision is awaited to initiate amendments to the Free Legal Aid Act. She also emphasized the need to urgently resolve 14 cases of unauthorized investment in property that the state can easily and effectively resolve through settlements that would allow homeowners to once again exercise their right to their home and property after 17 years.
Jelena Berkovic from GONG stressed the need for systematic compliance with the Code of Consultation with the Interested Public in the Process of Enacting Regulations, so that good consultation practice is organized systematically in all ministries. In addition, she stressed the need to enact laws in the regular procedure, while urgent procedures should become thoroughly justified exceptions.
Vesna Teršelić from Documenta - the Center for Dealing with the Past, emphasized that all previous governments have failed to acknowledge the suffering of all civilian victims of war and called for an urgent write-off of legal costs for the families of war crime victims who are threatened with payment through enforcement from their modest pensions. It is scandalous that in April, a summons was issued to pay legal costs to the family of Milenko Đapa, who was killed in Sisak in August 1991, and Gojko Čižmić's house was sold to collect legal costs in a lawsuit he lost.
Ljubo Manojlovic from the Serbian Democratic Forum pointed out that the current Law on Amendments to the Law on Areas of Special State Concern legalized discrimination on ethnic grounds and gave greater rights to temporary users of property compared to actual owners. He also pointed out that it is necessary to amend the Government Decision on the Purchase of Apartments in order to bring the purchase prices of apartments closer to those that were valid in 1991, because it has put Serb returnees in an unequal position. He pointed out the situations of tenancy rights holders and their family members as a serious problem, which is why it is necessary to approach a systematic solution and amendments to the legislative framework.
Speaking about opportunities in journalism, Toni Gabric from the Association for Independent Media Culture positively assessed the announced development of the media policy strategy, and the openness of the process of its development, as well as the development of new laws on media and electronic media. He warned of some previous deviations from the announced practice of media policy openness: the process of appointing two new members of the Council for Electronic Media was not sufficiently transparent, nor was the previous process of preparing amendments to the HRT Act.
Damjan Janjušević from the Association for Self-Advocacy highlighted the problems in the dysfunctional social welfare system, which does not provide support for citizens to stand on their own two feet, but leaves them in a passive position of recipients of assistance, which is why it is necessary to carry out fundamental reforms of that system. He particularly highlighted the problems in relation to the new Social Welfare Act, the closed process of amending the Family Act, and the linear cutting of funds from the state budget for social service programs provided in the community by civil society organizations.
Tomislav Tomasevic from Green Action recalled the criticism of civil society organizations regarding the Ombla HPP project and pointed out that the results of the completed environmental impact study review process for that project are still not known to the public. He also emphasized that the Ombla HPP and other mega-projects should be based on the principles of sustainable development.
The "Platform 112 – for Croatia under the rule of law" consists of the following organizations:
BaBe, Center for Education, Counseling and Research (CESI), Center for LGBT Equality, Center for Peace Studies (CMS), Center for Peace, Nonviolence and Human Rights Osijek, Documenta - Center for Dealing with the Past, GONG, House of Human Rights, Right to the City, Serbian Democratic Forum, Transparency International Croatia, Association for Social Affirmation of People with Mental Disorders - Sjaj, Association for Independent Media Culture, Association for Promoting Inclusion, Association for Promoting Equal Opportunities, Association of Parents of Children with Special Needs "Put u život - PUŽ", Association for Self-Advocacy, Association of Investigative Journalists, Green Action.
The "Platform 112 - for Croatia under the rule of law" is supported by the following organizations:
Amnesty International Croatia, Brod Ecological Society, IDEM Inclusive Support Center, Poreč Civic Initiatives Center, Vukovar Peace, Legal Advice and Psychosocial Assistance Center, DELFIN Pakrac Civil Society Support and Development Center, Eco Pan, Eco-eko Komin, Šolte Ecological Tourism Association, Eko-Zadar, Forum for Freedom of Education, Croatian Association of Deaf-Blind Persons Dodir, Croatian Association for Guide Dog Training and Mobility, Croatian Blind Association, Iskorak - Center for Sexual and Gender Minority Rights, Coalition of Associations Info Zone, Krka Knin, Kurziv - Platform for Culture, Media and Society Issues, Lesbian Group Kontra, MIRamiDA Center for Regional Exchange of Peace Experiences, Croatian Youth Network, Radio Mreža, Parents in Action, Delta Association, Fade In - Fantastically Good Institution, Croatian Tenants' Association, Social Policy and Inclusion (SPUK), Association for Assistance and Education of Victims of Mobbing, Association for Assistance to Persons with Mental Retardation of Međimurje County, Association for Nature, Environment and Sustainable Development Sunce, Association for the Promotion of Human Rights and Media Freedoms CENZURA PLUS, Association for the Development of Civil Society SMART, Volunteer Center Zagreb, Green Istria, Green Osijek, Zeo Nobilis, Women's Room.
