ZAGREB, October 23, 2018 – Platform 112, a civil society group that brings together dozens of human rights organisations, on Tuesday called on Prime Minister Andrej Plenković and Interior Minister Davor Božinović to see to it that “intensive attacks” by law enforcement authorities against human rights organisations ceased.
Platform 112 expressed concern over “continued pressure by the Interior Ministry against activists and volunteers who assist and support refugees”.
Prompted by a recent non-final verdict against a volunteer of the “Are You Syrious” association, the NGOs expressed concern about the Interior Ministry having asked for a ban on the association, for which the activist, Dragan Umičević, worked.
Platform 112 condemns the conduct of the Interior Ministry and the government and accuses them of intimidating migrants and those who are offering them support.
In late September, Umičević was fined 60,000 kuna for helping a group of migrants in March this year to illegally cross the Croatian border. The Županja Misdemeanour Court found him guilty pending appeal, of helping 14 Afghan refugees to illegally cross the border from Serbia into Croatia near the town of Strošinci, by sending them light signals of where to cross the border.
The court has allowed Umičević to pay the fine in five instalments. If he pays at least 40,000 kuna within five months, it will be considered that he has settled the entire fine.
