The Building of Asylum Seekers Shelter Centre in Stubicka Slatina Continues

10 May 2004

The Ministry of the Interior (MUP) said, in its press-release, the it will continue with the construction works on the asylum seekers centre, located in the former military barracks in Stubicka Slatina. It marks the contunuation of the efforts on the behalf of Croatian Government to fulfill the requirements for EU accession, and to provide the conditions for implementation of the Law on Asylum, which will enter into force on July 1, 2004.
The release states that this decision of the MUP and the Government followed a thorough analysis of the conclusions and objections presented by the citizens of Stubicka Slatina, which MUP and the Government consider �largely unfounded.�

Child at Jalozai refugee camp

MUP emphasizes that, prior to the start of the preparation of construction documentation, the representatives of local government accepted the construction of the Centre, who showed the first reservations regarding the already started project full two months later. MUP believes that the citizens dissatisfaction was caused by the local government and its failure to timely and properly inform the citizens about the project.
On April 25, the citizens of Stubicka Slatina protested against the intended opening of asylum seekers centre. Marijan Mlinaric, Minister of the Interior, was present at the protest, but left the gathering after a while.

MUP also says that the project documentation for the shelter centre is completed, and that it is currently subjected to the review of the authorized and competent consultants of the European Commission�s Office in Zagreb.