Human Rights |
The focus of activities - Protection of women and children
The protection and promotion of human rights, tolerance and non-discrimination were implemented in 2009 as an important part of the Croatian foreign policy through the enforcement of existing instruments and participation in activities within the framework of the United Nations, the Council of Europe, the OSCE and other international organisations promoting human rights. Within these organisations, the Republic of Croatia particularly advocated the abolition of the death penalty, the ban on torture, the protection of children’s rights including a ban on corporal punishment of children, gender equality, the prevention of violence against women, the fight against all forms of discrimination including discrimination based on sexual orientation, the protection of national and ethnic minority rights, and the promotion of interreligious dialogue and tolerance.
On a global level, Croatia devoted special attention to the UN Human Rights Council, as the most prominent world forum in the field of protection and promotion of human rights. The Republic of Croatia took an active part in the Council's activities, especially in the part pertaining to the procedure of the Universal Periodic Review (review of
human rights in each of the UN Member States ), entering into active dialogue with the countries presenting their respective human rights situation at the Council sessions.
As a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council (2008-2009), Croatia also joined Security Council activities in the field of human rights. Croatia was particularly active in addressing the protection of children’s rights in armed conflicts and protection of women’s rights, including the implementation of earlier resolutions, as well as the adoption of new ones (1888/2009 and 1889/2009) on women, peace and security, and fight against sexual violence during and after conflicts.
In 2009, Croatia successfully concluded the final year of its mandate as a member of the UNICEF Executive Board (in the period 2007 - 2009). Through active involvement in its work, Croatia contributed to the protection of children in the world, especially in the areas struck by armed conflicts and natural disasters. Additionally, in line with the Programme for 2007 - 2011, it has continued active cooperation with the UNICEF Office in Zagreb.
As a member of the UN Commission on the Status of Women (2006 - 2009), Croatia has actively participated in passing resolutions on the improvement of the status of women and the elimination of all
forms of discrimination against women. A part of the Commission's work was addressed towards the prevention of violence against women, in particular through its support to the UN Secretary General's Campaign to launch a database on violence against women.
Along with the implementation of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women and its Optional Protocol on a national basis, through professional engagement by Ambassador Dubravka Šimonović at the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), Croatia contributed to the reform of the Committee and application of these instruments world-wide.
Following its recognisable dedication in the area of the fight against discrimination, the Republic of Croatia has, as one of the Vice-chairs at the Bureau for the preparation of the Review Conference Against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance, contributed to finding ways to hold the conference despite enormous problems. Despite almost insurmountable problems, the Conference took place in Geneva at the end of April 2009 and ended with the adoption of a final document.
By joining the Group of Friends of the Alliance of Civilizations Group of Friends, a new international initiative under the auspices
of the UN whose task it is to improve understanding and co-operation among nations across cultures and religions, Croatia has accepted an active role in the promotion of interreligious dialogue and tolerance on an international level based on its experience and examples of good practice. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration coordinated the Working group for the National Programme for the Alliance of Civilizations (2010 -2012).
Regional and national levels - a permanent solution for refugees
On a regional level, within the framework of its efforts in the fight against all forms of discrimination, including discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, the Republic of Croatia has actively contributed to the work of the Council of Europe Committee on Discrimination on Grounds of Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity, as one of the countries to promote protection of these rights by the adoption of the Anti Discrimination Act which came into force in early 2009. (The overall activities of the Republic of Croatia in the area of protection and promotion of human rights within the framework of the Council of Europe are described in the chapter Council of Europe).
Seeking to find "permanent solutions" to the issue of refugees on the
territory of former Yugoslavia, in 2009 Croatia took an active part in the preparation of the International Conference on Refugees in Belgrade, which was postponed to early 2010. The Croatian party advocated a depoliticised, individual and humanitarian approach to this process. The Republic of Croatia pleaded for specific and practical steps towards a permanent solution of this question in the region. In that sense it has been asked to establish the exact number of refugees (in line with the criteria of international legislation and international standards) and to define the existing needs for protection, especially with regard to the most needy. Croatia has also advocated the international community's solidarity contribution to this process, through financial assistance for the projects aimed at a final resolution of this issue in the region.
In late 2009, a draft of the Common Core Document was drafted in accordance with the Harmonized guidelines on reporting under international human rights treaties. The purpose of the document is to facilitate the reporting system, because the document will always be added to Periodic reports in accordance with UN human rights treaties. Systematic transposition of contemporary standards adopted in international human rights instruments into Croatian documents has also continued. These documents are drafted by inter-governmental bodies like the Government Commission for Monitoring
Implementation of the National Programme for Roma, the Council for Children, the National Committee for the Suppression of Human Trafficking, the National Bioethics Commission for Medicine, as well as the working groups in charge of reporting in accordance with international treaties.