International Mechanism Submissions

This report addresses Croatia’s compliance with its obligations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) with respect to women in all their diversity affected by sexual violence during conflict, displacement, trafficking in persons, and reproductive rights. This report recommends that Croatia adopts a number of key recommendations to better align its practices with its obligations under the Convention. These steps, among other things, include: (1) expanding the scope of and protection available under the Law on the Rights of Victims of Sexual Violence during the Armed Aggression against the Republic of Croatia in the Homeland War; (2) ensuring the provision of standard operating procedures and gender-sensitive guidance to all officials who may come into contact with migrant women, covering the identification, interviewing, processing, and adjudication of claims related to gender-based violence; (3) introducing specific protection and support measures for women and girls who are victims of human trafficking, addressing their unique vulnerabilities and trauma; and (4) ensuring the right of every woman and girl to have full control over and decide freely and responsibly on matters related to their sexuality and sexual and reproductive rights, free from discrimination, coercion and violence.

This report's information was gathered from a review of current laws and policies, as well as materials, reports, and analyses prepared by the authors and international, regional, and domestic governmental and non-governmental bodies. In addition, first-hand information was collected through interviews conducted with multiple Croatian experts in violence against women (VAW) from non-governmental organizations providing direct services to victims/survivors of domestic violence and their children. Moreover, the report presents data and analysis gathered from service providers' trends, cases, and day-to-day practice.