Twenty years ago today the Republic of Croatia became the 40th member of the Council of Europe (CoE), the oldest pan-European organization. It was a confirmation of Croatia’s firm commitment to the advancement of democratic standards, human rights and the rule of law.
Today, with their active engagement in various CoE bodies, Croatia’s representatives are participating on equal terms in passing decisions and relevant documents. Another conformation of Croatia’s efforts to improve specific areas of human rights are Croatian experts’ leading engagements in CoE expert working groups such as the Group of States against Corruption (GRECO), Ad Hoc Committee of Experts on Roma and Traveller Issues (CAHROM) and Governing Board of CoE Development Bank.
No less important, from May to October 2018 Croatia will for the first time chair the Committee of Ministers – the most important executive body of CoE.
Past participations in CoE discussions have placed special emphasis on the protection and promotion of the rights of the most vulnerable social groups (children, the disabled), as well as national minorities and women’s rights. Croatia especially supports CoE activities in Southeast Europe as a region still faced with numerous challenges, giving all the more weight to full respect for the European standards in democracy, human rights and the rule of law, as well as further implementation of the European Court’s decisions.