Topic: Rights of Accused
Country: Croatia
Delegate Name: Anni Paldan
School: Mattawan High School
Topic page: background guide and all position papers All Croatia position papers GLIMUN 2015 committees
A consistent problem that looms over the judicial world is how can one safely and fairly give an accused person an unbiased and honest trial. In many instances, nations or officials are corrupt and fair trials are not given to those who deserve them. Crime, however, is an escalating issue. Within the last decade, prison population has nearly doubled in Croatia causing an issue in overpopulation and overcrowding. We support the UNHCR and its firm belief in the basic human rights of all and, therefore, equal justice for all .
Croatia has a honest system with which to process those who are accused within the country. For these citizens, Croatia’s legal system has ensured that they are provided with information on their detention and the accusations placed against them immediately after arrest; however, charges can be placed up to six months after the initial arrest. Croatian citizens are afforded the rights to a lawyer and the right to speak privately with their chosen representation should they not use the free public defender provided to them. They can find one through the Croatian Bar Association which is provided information to them as soon as they are brought in. Croatia also provides rights for our citizens who have disabilities. In such cases as deafness, muteness, or the person is just generally unable to defend themselves, the Croatian government states that it is mandatory that they be represented and the state will cover any and all legal fees stemming from this. In Croatia, those who are accused are always provided with a judge and either no jurors, or two jurors depending upon which type of court they are being tried in and the severity of their potential sentence. For the life sentence, one is provided with two judges and a total of three jurors. Throughout the entire process, the accused is permitted to appeal their accusations, charges, or sentence and no cruel, degrading, or inhuman punishment may come to them as their is a law forbidding it. This is a luxury that many countries do not provide for their citizens.
Through a collaboration between countries and discussion upon this topic, a resolution can amicably be found. The rights of individuals must be upheld, especially when they are accused of a crime or injustice. Croatia wishes to find international policy that can span nations and protect the needs of those who have been greatly mistreated through their unrightful imprisonment.
