A/HRC/16/13
provided to children and minorities during legal proceedings. It inquired about the specific
measures taken or to be taken to address this issue. It made recommendations.
38.
Austria noted the legislation being brought in accordance with European Union laws
and standards, as Croatia was close to finalizing the process of becoming a State member of
the Union. Austria praised the steps taken to facilitate the return of a large number of
displaced persons, including members of the Serb minority. However, it noted concerns
regarding poor conditions of detention as well as an inefficient judiciary, which had led to
long delays in the dispensation of justice and in the full integration into society of persons
belonging to minority groups. Austria made recommendations.
39.
The United States of America stated that Croatia should amplify the efforts to
protect the rights of vulnerable minorities. It noted that ethnic Serbs still faced de facto
discrimination in several areas, including the administration of justice, employment and
housing, and that Roma also faced many obstacles. It noted that Croatia remained a
destination, source and transit country for trafficking in persons. It made recommendations.
40.
Slovenia appreciated the progress made in Croatia’s integration into the European
Union. Slovenia referred to the Supreme Court’s recognition of the right to the restitution of
property nationalized after the Second World War and the lack of equal treatment for
Slovenian minorities and other persons who were not Croatian citizens in the process.
Slovenia also highlighted the fact that the Slovenian minority still did not enjoy all the
rights guaranteed under the Constitution, the Law on the Rights of National Minorities and
other laws. Slovenia made recommendations.
41.
Finland expressed appreciation for the measures taken to eliminate discrimination
against the Roma communities. Finland asked how the authorities would improve the
situation of Roma who lacked citizenship. Finland also inquired about concrete measures
being taken to support the education of Roma children. Finland made recommendations.
42.
Norway praised the efforts to enhance equality and non-discrimination concerning
Roma minorities. However, it noted persistent problems in the effective implementation of
rights provided by law, particularly regarding equitable representation of minorities in the
public sector. Norway expressed concern about reports of societal prejudice against
minority groups (Serbs, Bosniaks and Roma) and inequalities between women and men in
the labour market. Norway made recommendations.
43.
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland welcomed the
importance Croatia placed on judicial reform, cooperation with the International Criminal
Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia, domestic war crimes trials, settling remaining refugee
return issues and protection of minority groups. It encouraged further judicial reform. It
encouraged Croatia to seek missing documents for the Gotovina trial, to pursue a thorough
and comprehensive investigation and act on suggestions from the Chief Prosecutor. It
encouraged Croatia to ensure domestic war crimes trials were investigated and prosecuted
without discrimination. It made recommendations.
44.
The Croatian delegation stated that Croatia was considering the issue of migrant
workers as a part of the wider European human rights framework. Croatia had not yet taken
a decision on the ratification of the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights
of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families, but already had a broad legislative
framework for their protection.
45.
With respect to hate crimes, Croatia added to the information presented in its
introductory statement, noting that special police units had been established to conduct
criminal investigations in that regard, with specifically trained personnel. No organized
violence against particular groups had been reported, as incidents had been isolated, as
evidenced by available statistics, and had been adequately prosecuted and sanctioned.
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