Contributed in part by Gabrijela Ivanov, Croatian National VAW Monitor
According to Seeline-Project, the Croatian government created the Commission for Issues of Equality on 9 May 1996. The Commission was responsible for developing measures to improve the role of women in society in accordance with the Beijing Platform for Action. On 18 December 1997, the government adopted the National Policy for the Promotion of Equality, which set forth goals and measures to advance the status of women. The National Policy targeted several issues in the context of women's rights.
In 2000, the Croatian government changed the name of the Commission for Issues of Equality to the Commission for Gender Equality, thus establishing a more systematic approach to addressing women's rights in Croatia. In line with this development, the Croatian Parliament, on 4 December 2001, adopted a new National Policy for the Promotion of Gender Equality 2001-2005, as well as an Implementation Programme for the National Policy for the Promotion of Gender Equality 2001-2005. According to a memorandum by the Croatian delegation to the Council of Europe, the National Policy addresses ten areas in women's rights, including education, positions of power and decision-making, health, institutional mechanisms, violence against women, human rights, armed conflicts, media, economy and the environment. The Implementation Programme outlines several measures to encourage Croatian government bodies and institutions to improve the status of women.
Croatia has submitted a response to the the United Nations' Division for Advancement of Women's Questionnaire regarding implementation of the Beijing Platform for Action.
National Programme for Suppression of Trafficking in Persons 2005-2008 and Action Plan for 2005.
National Programme for suppression of trafficking in persons from 2005 – 2008 and Action Plan for suppression of trafficking in persons for the year 2005. was adopted on the Government's session held on December 15th 2004. The making of the National Programme and Action Plan was supervised by the national co-ordinator and secretariat of the National Committee located in the Office for Human Rights of the Government of the Republic of Croatia. National Committee for the suppression of trafficking in persons, on a session held on December 6th 2004., under the chairmanship of deputy Prime minister of the Government of the Republic of Croatia and Minister of the Family, Veterans’ Affairs and Intergenerational Solidarity mrs. Jadranka Kosor, adopted the proposal for the National Programme for suppression of trafficking in persons from 2005 – 2008, as well as the Action Plan for suppression of trafficking in persons for the year 2005. The Plan includes the following chapters: LEGISLATIVE FRAMEWORK Objective: To improve regulations for the purpose of ensuring more efficient victim protection and detection, prosecution and sanctioning of perpetrators who have committed crimes related to trafficking in persons. IDENTIFICATION OF VICTIMS; DETECTION, PROSECUTION AND SANCTIONING OF PERPETRATORS OF CRIMES RELATED TO TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS Objectives: 1. To enhance and improve procedures for identification of trafficked persons. 2. To enhance and improve procedures for detection, prosecution and sanctioning of perpetrators of crimes related to trafficking in persons. 3. To develop co-operation among bodies responsible for detection, prosecution and sanctioning of crimes related to trafficking in persons. 4. To develop international co-operation in detection, prosecution and sanctioning of perpetrators of crimes related to trafficking in persons. ASSISTANCE TO AND PROTECTION OF VICTIMS Objectives: 1. To provide trafficked persons with assistance, protection and safety by applying a comprehensive approach to each victim of trafficking or any similar crime. 2. To facilitate the recovery, return, integration/reintegration of trafficked persons. 3. To protect the confidentiality of personal data on trafficked persons. 4. To improve forms of protection and assistance offered to Croatian citizens identifi ed as trafficked persons. PREVENTION Objectives: 1. To identify the causes and consequences of trafficking in persons and to explore them systematically. 2. To conduct research into the causes and consequences of trafficking in persons. 3. To create economic and social conditions for the prevention of trafficking in persons in the Republic of Croatia. 4. To systematically monitor potentially vulnerable groups. 5. To inform the community and to raise public awareness of the phenomenon of trafficking in persons and its consequences. EDUCATION Objective: 1. To continue with the education of target groups on the phenomenon of traffi cking in persons at both national and international levels, including: - police officers; - customs officers; - social workers; - health-care professionals; - educators; - judiciary employees (courts, state attorney’s offices, correctional institutions); - diplomatic and consular staff; - military personnel and police officers assigned to international peace-keeping missions; - non-governmental organisations; - media representatives; - professional staff providing care and assistance to trafficked persons; and - others. INTERNATIONAL CO-OPERATION Objective: 1. To develop systematic co-operation between the Republic of Croatia and other countries and international and intergovernmental organisations involved in the effort to combat traffi cking in persons. CO-ORDINATION OF ACTIVITIES Objectives: 1. To strengthen the co-ordination of activities undertaken by all competent government authorities, international organisations and non-governmental organisations in the effort to combat traffi cking in persons. 2. To systematically monitor the implementation and effectiveness of action plans to combat traffi cking in persons. Compiled from: National Programme for Suppression of Trafficking in Persons 2005-2008 and Action Plan for 2005 (PDF).