The United Nation chose 10 December as the Human Rights Day to honour the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which to this day is providing basic guidelines for the respect of human rights.
“All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights… Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person… All are equal before the law…” – are just some of the declaration’s principles later built into international treaties and fundamental legal acts of most of the world’s democratic countries. Human rights are a key element of peace, security and sustainable development, belong to all human beings equally and unite us as a global community with common ideals and values.
Today, when we are faced with the largest number of migrants and refugees since World War II as a consequence of human rights violations in various parts of the world, we must commit to active advancement of their protection. Furthermore, violence against civilians in armed conflicts, growing intolerance and extremism, hate speech, violence against women and girls, inequality before the law, stifling the freedom of speech, non-punishment of perpetrators, human trafficking, torture and degrading acts as well as forced disappearances are daily challenges for countries whose fundamental responsibility is the protection of human rights.
The Republic of Croatia, as a member state of the UN, EU and other international and regional organizations, will continue to promote human rights in international relations. We will also participate in activities aimed at combating violations of the human rights of individuals, groups and communities, as well as protecting the most vulnerable groups in all parts of the world.
In the coming period, the Republic of Croatia will continue to promote human rights for all, regardless of nationality, gender, descent, skin colour, religion, language or any other status, both bilaterally and through international institutions and mechanism. Membership in the European Union and participating in its policy-making has provided us with additional opportunities and a larger framework for building and developing national mechanisms of human rights protection as well as responsible and active responses to human right violations across the globe.
Croatia’s global activities in the field of human rights is further solidified by membership in the UN Human Rights Council for the 2017-2019 period, where we will consistently advocate equality, dignity and freedom for all and full respect and advancement of civil and political rights as well as economic, social and cultural rights in every country.