By NHRI mandate
By topic
Enabling environment for HRDs & CSOs
Environmental HRDs
Freedom of assembly and association
Freedom of expression
Freedom of the media
Funding of CSOs
Non-government controlled territories
Prohibition of discrimination
Protection of HRDs
Right to a fair trial
Right to an effective remedy
Right to privacy
Right to respect for private and family life
Sustainable Development Goals
Whistleblowers
Women HRDs
By country
The 2024 report of the Ombudswoman of the Republic of Croatia contained a dedicated chapter on the situation of HRDs in the country. It highlighted persistent challenges, including inadequate responses to the Ombudswoman’s recommendations, delays in information sharing by state bodies, and the need for systemic, long-term support for civil society organisations.
The Ombudswoman also reported an increase in attacks on environmental activists, who were subject to systemic repression. This is reflected in the denial of financial resources and limited participation in the development of policies and plans, as well as in decision-making on specific projects. Targeted repression also takes the form of SLAPP lawsuits; the use of inspection supervision as a means of pressure and repression; and threats, stigmatisation and symbolic violence. Restricting access to natural areas for the purpose of documenting the state of the environment has also been reported.
Ombudswoman of the Republic of Croatia
In 2016, the Croatian government adopted a decree that significantly reduced funds allocated from the national lottery to civil society organisations working on human rights and democratisation. The Ombudswoman of the Republic of Croatia engaged in public consultations and presented recommendations to the government. The NHRI also raised the issue in its 2016 Annual Report to the parliament. In 2017, the government adopted an amended version of the decree that increased the budget for civil society, although this was still under the level of 2015. In 2019, the NHRI continued work on the topic and issued recommendations to the government to adopt a new National Programme of Protection and Promotion of Human Rights, which would underline the importance of creating and maintaining an enabling environment for human rights and civil society.
Ombudswoman of the Republic of Croatia
During a human rights film festival in December 2021, the Ombudswoman of Croatia organised a public consultation with civil society organisations. This was done to gain insight into challenges faced by human rights defenders and to identify key challenges in human rights protection. For its 2021 Annual Report to the Parliament, the NHRI sent out a public call inviting civil society to send data and insights, while specific questions were asked about key challenges to their work. The input from these consultations are reflected in the Ombudswoman’s Annual Report for 2021 and fed into Croatia’s Universal Periodic Review process.