March 6, 2013
The last train for a sustainable democracy worthy of the citizens of Croatia
In assessing the work of the Government after the first quarter of its mandate, Platform 112 must emphasize that the new government is not consistent in its actions regarding values, programs, and ability to implement policies. This does not mean that there have been no important positive changes, but that, despite them, the bitter taste of the lack of systemic change and the presentation of a comprehensive vision remains.
At a press conference at the House of Human Rights on Wednesday, March 6, 2013, where the Report on the Government's Work on Fulfilling the Requests of Platform 112 was presented, it was warned that the positive changes in strengthening transparency and openness remained in the shadow of this Government's Achilles' heel - the inconsistency of policymaking and implementation.
Platform 112 calls on the government, before Croatia's entry into the EU, to make a sharp turn towards democracy, the rule of law and sustainable development, making these values the starting point of every policy, and not perceiving and portraying them as a necessary evil and/or collateral damage that would be avoided if possible.
Therefore, Platform 112 requests the Government and Parliament to:
1. correct the greatest injustices resulting from the war and transition and, among other things, urgently reverse the negative trend of the return of refugee Serbs to Croatia; to solve the problem of tenant rights, which threatens the existence of thousands of families; to establish a system of compensation for civilian victims of war and to amend the Law on Free Legal Aid so that an effective procedure is established for providing primary legal aid to a wide range of users who need it;
2. publicly discuss and adopt the Strategy for Sustainable Development of Croatia as an umbrella policy that will ensure the coordinated development of local communities, regions and society as a whole, responsible use of public resources, an economy based on knowledge and innovation in which particular economic interests are subordinate to public and social ones, and strategic decisions are made transparently and democratically;
3. finally launch a public administration reform to strengthen the efficiency of public sector management, with an emphasis on a new personnel policy, strategic management and territorial restructuring, with the goal not being savings, but the quality of public policies and public services;
4. reject the current approach of encouraging short-term investment aimed exclusively at privileged private investors, with the absence of a thorough assessment of the expected long-term consequences;
5. ensure effective cross-party oversight of all reforms resulting from the negotiations with the EU in Chapter 23 by establishing a new parliamentary body - the National Council for the Rule of Law and Protection of the Public Interest - which would include representatives of civil society and the professional community and cooperate closely with EU institutions.
"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 City, Serbian Democratic Forum, Transparency International Croatia, Association for Social Affirmation of Persons 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 for Investigative Journalists, Green Action.
"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, DEŠA – Dubrovnik, Humanitarian and Peacemaking Organization, Eko Pan, Eko-eko Komin, Šolte Ecological Tourism Association, Eko-Zadar, Forum for Freedom of Education, Croatian Debate Society, Croatian Association of the Deaf-Blind Dodir, Croatian Association for Guide Dog Training and Mobility, Croatian Blind Federation, Iskorak - Center for the Rights of Sexual and Gender Minorities, Info Zone Coalition of Associations, Coalition of Associations in Healthcare, Coordination of Associations for Children, Krka Knin, Kurziv - Platform for Culture, Media and Society Issues, Kontra Lesbian Group, MIRamiDA Center for Regional Exchange of Peace Experiences, Oaza Beli Manastir Peace Group, Croatian Youth Network, Multimedia Institute, Sisak Civil Rights Project, Radio Mreža, Parents in action, Delta Association, LET Association, Fade In – Fantastically Good Institution, Union of Tenants' Associations of Croatia (SUSH), Social Policy and Inclusion (SPUK), SOS Children's Village Croatia, BRID Association, Association for Assistance and Education of Victims of Mobbing, Association for Assistance to People 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 Protagora, Association for the Development of Civil Society SMART, Association for the Protection of Human Rights and Humanitarian Activities "Dalmatian Solidarity Committee-DOS", Volunteer Center Zagreb, Slagalica Foundation, Green Istria, Green Osijek, Women's Room.
