St. Mark’s Square will remain closed to the public

Government closed St. Mark’s Square, a symbol of Croatian national identity, to the public following an attack on the government building in October of 2020, in which one police officer was injured and the attacker committed suicide.

On Wednesday the GONG NGO commented on Tuesday’s decision by the Constitutional Court, in which it claimed that it is not the competent authority to decide on the constitutionality of a government decree by which it closed Satin Mark's Square, the seat of Croatian Government and Parliament, to the public. GONG executive director, Oriana Ivković Novokmet: “We see this decision as the court toadying to the government, and infringing on the rights and freedoms of our citizens. If the Constitutional Court is not the competent authority, then no one stands in the way of this government, which is violating the rights of the citizenry.”

Prime Minister Andrej Plenković rejected this assessment outright saying that other countries have similar restrictions near government and parliament buildings. However, Ivković Novokmet notes that the Constitutional Court decision was far from unanimous: “Five judges voted against the decision of the majority. They note that the decree is unconstitutional on the basis that only legislation can limit constitutional rights and freedoms. One of the judges, in her dissenting opinion, noted that issues of security should be an expression of rational policies and not an instrument of a fearful order.”

“These riot fences are a kind of preventive measure that cannot stop a terrorist attack, but could turn back a potential attacker,” added security expert Ante Letica.

And while citizens are left to ponder why flimsy riot fencing that experts agree cannot withstand a real terrorist attack has kept them from accessing one of the nicest squares in the city, the powers that be have ensured that St. Mark's Square will continue to serve as a parking lot for government officials.

Source: HRT