Minister Grlić Radman participates in 131st meeting of CoE Committee of Ministers

Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Gordan Grlić Radman on Friday participated in the 131st meeting of the Council of Europe’s Committee of Ministers, held online. The meeting, held under German presidency, focused on the joint responsibility of the member states for democratic security in the EU

Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Gordan Grlić Radman on Friday participated in the 131st meeting of the Council of Europe’s Committee of Ministers, held online. The meeting, held under German presidency, focused on the joint responsibility of the member states for democratic security in the EU.

In his keynote address, Grlić Radman said that the COVID-19 pandemic had jeopardized the most vulnerable social groups, underscoring the importance of continuing to develop guidelines for the member states’ implementation of anti-COVID measures while fully respecting human rights, democracy and the rule of law. Following the annual report by Council of Europe’s Secretary-General Marija Pejčinović Burić on the state of democracy, human rights and the rule of law, the minister highlighted as priority areas the protection of the most vulnerable groups: children, youth, elderly, special needs individuals and national minorities. He stressed the importance of fighting violence against women as well as all forms of discrimination and hate speech. He also underlined the importance of solidifying social and economic rights and anticorruption culture as preconditions for combating social inequality. In addition, the minister stressed the importance of continuing to analyse the wider impact of artificial intelligence on human rights, democracy and the rule of law.

Continuing his address, Grlić Radman emphasized that the unconditional respect for the European Convention on Human Rights and the rulings of the European Court of Human Rights was crucial for the democratic security of citizens. Moreover, the minister pointed out the importance of allowing the CoE supervisory bodies access to all member states, including nongovernmental sector, while respecting their sovereignty and territorial unity.

In light of Croatia’s 25th CoE membership anniversary, which we are marking this year, Grlić Radman reiterated Croatia’s full commitment to the joint efforts of the CoE member states to further democratize the continent.

Finally, Grlić Radman thanked the outgoing German Council of Ministers presidency for the results achieved and wished Hungary success in taking over.

 

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