Press freedom 2004

Ivo Sanader
Prime Minister of the Republic of Croatia

Marjan Mlinaric
Minister of Interior Affairs

Your Excellencies,

The Vienna-based South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO), a network of editors, media executives and leading journalists in South East Europe and an affiliate of the International Press Institute (IPI), is alarmed by threats received by Sasa Jadrijevic Tomas, a journalist for the Croatian daily newspaper, Slobodna Dalmacija, since Friday, 23 January 2004.

According to information before SEEMO, on 23 January, Sasa Jadrijevic Tomas received threats from an unknown person one day before Slobodna Dalmacija planned to publish an article about Stipe Cacija, Assistant to the Croatian Minister of Interior Affairs, entitled "Cacija has not paid alimony to his son for 18 years". Although under pressure, Slobodna Dalmacija published the article on Saturday, 24 January.

SEEMO is also informed that on Thursday, 29 January, an unknown person called the office of the newspaper saying he had information that Jadrijevic Tomas would be killed. After this latest telephone call, the journalist received police protection.

In SEEMO's opinion, the threat against Jadrijevic Tomas constitutes a serious attack on freedom of expression in Croatia and hinders journalists from freely exercising their profession. Therefore, SEEMO urges Your Excellency to do everything in your power to protect Jadrijevic Tomas and to bring to justice the person or persons behind these threats.

We thank you for your attention.

Yours sincerely,

Oliver Vujovic
SEEMO Secretary General