This text was written following a thorough and detailed determination of the facts and evidence through joint consultations among a group of citizens who reside within the territory of the Vrebac Local Committee, which administratively falls under the City of Gospić (hereinafter: the LC), as well as citizens who own real property in the area and reside there periodically, some of whom are also members of the Serbian National Reading Room and Library in Vrebac (hereinafter: the SNČK).
In small communities struggling to recover from the consequences of war, the public office of the President of the Local Committee Council is of great importance to residents.
The person holding this office is expected to perform the duties conscientiously and in the best common interest, even when their electoral list receives less than one-third of the votes of registered voters, as is the case with the President of the LC Council (hereinafter: the President).
On August 1, 2026, at 8:00 p.m., a group of citizens gathered at the SNČK premises after seeing an invitation bearing the LC’s official stamp, without the position, first name and surname of the person convening the meeting being stated, and without specifying the type of meeting or its agenda. This deprived the citizens of the opportunity to prepare for the meeting.
The meeting was chaired throughout by the President, who stated that it was a meeting of the LC and that the agenda consisted of the “state of affairs in the LC” and “laying a wreath at Gradina.”
Those present were led to believe that a meeting of the LC Council was being held, even though the only Council member present was Milan Dragosavac, who attended the meeting as a citizen, since neither he nor any other members of the Council had received any invitation to a Council session.
More than two months after the election, the President had not convened a Council session for the purpose of adopting the LC’s work programme, LC rules, rules of procedure of the Council, and financial plan. When one of those present asked why these acts had not been adopted and how Council sessions would be held and minutes recorded and published, the President stated that he would not deal with such matters.
When those present asked questions, provided information of importance to the life and work of local residents, and called for an active role by the LC’s bodies, the President stated that they should write about their own problems themselves, while he would merely sign the documents and affix the official stamp.
For a substantial part of this disputed meeting, the President, together with several others present, contrary to the stated agenda, participated in raising tendentious, malicious and unfounded questions and presenting inaccurate information concerning the activities, ownership rights and usage rights of the SNČK. Such impermissible conduct damaged the reputation of the SNČK, its bodies and a number of its members, called its previous activities into question, and jeopardized its present and future work.
The aforementioned Association is registered in accordance with the regulations of the Republic of Croatia, with its headquarters in Vrebac, in a building owned by the Association, No. 30. Through its activities, since the Association was revived in 2017, it has, among other things, contributed to the preservation and advancement of the local community through cultural programmes and the organization of social activities.
A large number of articles and reports concerning the activities and contribution of the SNČK, as an encouraging example, have been published in all types of media in the Republic of Croatia and other countries.
Despite the numerous regulations protecting reputation and honour, the disputed meeting also involved a highly offensive and inappropriate personal denigration of two citizens, accompanied by similarly inappropriate comments from some of those present.
No minutes were recorded at the meeting and, therefore, should such a document subsequently appear, it would be unreliable and unauthentic.
It is unacceptable that, through the failure to act or through impermissible conduct by a person exercising public office or by other relevant actors, the rights of natural and legal persons within the territory of the Republic of Croatia are denied or jeopardized.
Submitted to:
- Ministry of Justice, Public Administration and Digital Transformation
- General Secretariat
- Directorate for Judicial and Administrative Inspection
- Directorate for Human Rights, National Minorities and Ethics
- City Council of the City of Gospić
- Mayor of the City of Gospić
- Management Board of the SNČK
Note
Feedback may be submitted to the official e-mail address of the website Administrator: admin@snckvrebac.hr, where this text has been published.
On behalf of the group of citizens
Mirjana (née Grubić) Ćurin
One of the founders and a member of the SNČK