Universal Periodic Review Working Group – 36th Session

Universal Periodic Review of Croatia

Statement by Australia

10 November 2020

Thank you, [President/Vice President]

Australia commends Croatia on its continued commitment to human rights and its ongoing constructive engagement with the Universal Periodic Review process. We welcome Croatia’s ratification of the Istanbul Convention in 2018. We also acknowledge progress at the political level on the rights of ethnic minority groups in Croatia, and welcome efforts to implement its National Roma Inclusion Strategy 2013-2020.

Australia recommends that Croatia:

1. Fully implement the Istanbul Convention into domestic laws and policies, to protect and support victims and survivors of gender-based violence.
2. Strengthen its human rights framework by finalising and implementing its new National Program of Protection and Promotion of Human Rights in Croatia.
3. Continue its efforts to fully implement existing institutional and legal protections including independence of the judiciary and freedom of expression, including protection of journalists from intimidation.
4. Take further concrete steps towards full compliance with Croatia’s anti-discrimination legislation to promote the protection and social inclusion of all vulnerable and minority groups

[160 words]