Croatia: string of attacks on journalists raises OSCE concerns
OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media calls on Croatian authorities to protect differing and critical voices and to investigate string of attacks on journalists
Link: OSCE
OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Dunja Mijatoviฤ wrote to Croatiaโs Foreign Minister Vesna Pusiฤ, calling for swift and transparent investigations following an alarmingly high number of attacks on journalists in the country over the last two months.
โThe authorities play a critical role in ensuring that alternative, critical, and provocative voices and opinions in a democratic society are protected,โ Mijatoviฤ wrote in her letter to the Foreign Minister.
Most recently, a prominent theatre director and columnist Oliver Frljiฤ has been receiving threats.
Additionally, on 7 August, a group of journalists and activists, including journalists Hrvoje ล imiฤeviฤ and Vladimir Kinฤerski were physically attacked by unknown persons as they were leaving a theatre in Rijeka, after Oliver Frljiฤโs play.
In her letter to Foreign Minister Pusiฤ, the Representative raised several other cases of death threats and physical attacks on members of the media. They include attacks and threats against:
- Saลกa Lekoviฤ, the President of the Croatian Journalistsโ Association;
- Domagoj Margetiฤ, freelance journalist;
- Drago Pilsel, journalist with the daily newspaper Novi List;
- Katarina Mariฤ Banje, journalist with the daily newspaper Slobodna Dalmacija;
- Ivica Marijaฤiฤ, editor-in-chief, and Antonio Mlikota, graphic designer, with the weekly newspaper Hvratski tjednik;
- Domagoj Mikiฤ, journalist with Nova TV.
โAs far as I am aware, all these cases remain unresolved,โ Mijatoviฤ wrote. โCondemnation coming from the highest level of government should be a clear sign these acts of intimidation and violence against journalists will not be tolerated.โ
In her letter, the Representative welcomed the latest progress in the investigation of the attempted murder of investigative journalist and blogger ลฝeljko Peratoviฤ. Three men were placed under investigation the day after the attack on suspicion of inflicting bodily harm. A court ruled last week that they should instead be investigated for the more serious offence of attempted murder.
โI raised this case in a public statement on 29 May, and I am encouraged by the swift reaction and positive developments in this investigation,โ Mijatoviฤ said.
