(IPI/IFEX) – In an 8 February 2002 letter to President Stjepan Mesic, IPI and its affiliate, the South East European Media Organisation (SEEMO), expressed their deep concern over the case of Denis Latin. According to IPI’s and SEEMO’s sources, the state prosecutor plans to file charges against Latin, host of the Croatian Television programme “Latinica”, […]
(IPI/IFEX) – In an 8 February 2002 letter to President Stjepan Mesic, IPI and its affiliate, the South East European Media Organisation (SEEMO), expressed their deep concern over the case of Denis Latin.
According to IPI’s and SEEMO’s sources, the state prosecutor plans to file charges against Latin, host of the Croatian Television programme
“Latinica”, under Article 309 of the Croatian Criminal Code.
The second paragraph of Article 309 states, “Whoever, during proceedings before a court, but prior to the rendering of the final judgment, expounds his opinion in the public media, at a public rally or in front of a body of persons on how the official engaged in the administration of justice should act in this case, or which decisions should be pronounced, shall be punished by a fine of up to one hundred and fifty daily incomes or by imprisonment not exceeding six months.”
Croatia has made considerable progress in the media field in the past years. However, laws that prescribe criminal penalties for reporting or commentary are open to abuse by public officials and should be removed from the statute books in order to create a climate in which journalists can freely investigate cases of corruption and other illegal activities. IPI and SEEMO therefore urged the president to initiate the necessary measures to review and replace such laws with appropriate civil legislation.
Recommended Action
Send appeals to the president:
– urging His Excellency to initiate the necessary measures to review and replace laws that prescribe criminal penalties for reporting or commentary with appropriate civil legislation
– further urging him to immediately drop all charges against Latin
Appeals To
H.E. Stjepan Mesic
President of Croatia
Zagreb, Croatia
Fax: + 385 1 45 65 159
Copy appeals to:
Ivica Racan
Prime Minister
Zagreb, Croatia
Fax: +385 1 63 03 013
Zlatko Tomcic
President of the Parliament
Zagreb, Croatia
Fax: + 385 1 63 03 010
Please copy appeals to the source if possible.
