According to the report on Croatia by the Committee on Free Access to Information and Freedom of Expression (FAIFE) of the International Federation of Library Associations (IFLA), “the Constitution of the Republic of Croatia guarantees to all citizens freedom of expression.” Censorship, it states, is “explicitly prohibited.” (See Croatian Constitution, Provision 38.) However, is this actually practiced?
In addition to the arrest of a man who created a Facebook group criticizing the prime minister, attacks on journalists, both violent and non-violent, have plagued Croatia in recent months. The International Freedom of Expression eXchange (IFEX) lists several fatal attacks on and death threats directed towards journalists. For example, in October, one of Croatia’s top investigative journalists, Ivo Pukanic, and the marketing director of the leading investigative news paper were killed when a bomb exploded under Pukanic’s car.
These incidents are usually not the work of the government, but what about the government has fostered such behaviors? Are the people responsible being adequately punished? Or are the actions of the government (see Facebook arrest) consequently encouraging terrorist attacks?
IFEX believes that Croatia, motivated by their desire to join the European Union, has made improvements in human rights, but clearly has a long way to go. It will be fascinating to monitor Croatia’s progress (or not).
-- Ellen Leto
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