Gov't formulates bill to prevent manipulation of money collected in fundraisers

The Croatian government on Thursday sent to parliament for consideration a bill on humanitarian donations, suggesting that money left over after a humanitarian drive for a person should be used for the treatment of another person.

Under the bill, it will not be possible to use the money left over after a humanitarian drive to build a house or for some other purpose, but it will have to be spent for what it has been raised, Social Policy and Youth Minister Milanka Opacic said in a comment on the bill that is designed to prevent the manipulation of money raised for specific purposes and to restore citizens' trust in humanitarian drives.

There have been many fund-raising campaigns in Croatia, which shows that people feel solidarity with those who are ill, but there have also been irregularities and legal loopholes, resulting in lawsuits, she said.

The bill also envisages the obligation to report any plan to organise a humanitarian drive to a state administration office and prosecutors will be able to request the restitution of money spent for purposes different than those it was intended for and to launch proceedings in such cases.

The bill also envisages the categorisation of humanitarian campaigns depending on their purpose and the introduction of appropriate campaign logos.

(Hina) rml

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