11 February 2005

OSCE Concerned Over Prison Sentence for Croatian Journalist
Says fear of prison terms can impede freedom of the media

The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Mission to Croatia has expressed concern at the decision by a Croatian court to uphold a two-month suspended prison sentence given to Croatian journalist Ljubica Letinic for libel.

"The possibility of prison sentences being imposed on journalists may have a chilling effect on the freedom of the media," said the Head of the OSCE Mission to Croatia, Ambassador Peter Semneby. He called on the Croatian government to fully decriminalize libel by removing it from the criminal code.

Following is an OSCE press release:

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Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe

OSCE MISSION CONCERNED OVER PRISON SENTENCE FOR CROATIAN JOURNALIST ON LIBEL CHARGES

ZAGREB, 11 February 2005 – The OSCE Mission to Croatia has expressed concern at the latest decision by the Split County Court to uphold a prison sentence given to a Croatian journalist for libel.

Ljubica Letinic recently lost her appeal against a decision passed by the Split Municipal Court last July which sentenced her to a two-month suspended prison term for libel.

"This is a reminder that the revision of legislation is still necessary to ensure that journalists are not sent to prison for their work," said the Head of the OSCE Mission to Croatia, Ambassador Peter Semneby.

"The possibility of prison sentences being imposed on journalists may have a chilling effect on the freedom of the media," he added.

In line with recommendations from the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, the Mission is again calling on the Government to fully decriminalise libel by removing it from the criminal code.

Libel and slander should instead by dealt with by civil procedure.

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(Distributed by the Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)

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