As part of the third cycle of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR), Croatia presented before the UNHRC the activities in the area of national protection and promotion of human rights. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the discussion was held virtually.
The UPR is a unique process that involves a review of the human rights records of all UN member states every five years. Croatia presented its records in November 2010 and May 2015. The goal of the third cycle is to present measures taken to implement recommendations from the first two cycles, as well as to highlight new achievements in human rights.
Heading the Croatian delegation was Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Gordan Grlić Radman, who presented the progress and challenges in the area of human rights in Croatia over the past five years.
The review of human rights in Croatia attracted great interest, with 90 member states participating in the discussion and giving recommendations.
Joining the discussion twice via video link was State Secretary for Political Affairs Frano Matušić, who answered the member states’ questions. During the interactive part of the UPR, which was shortened due to the virtual format, Matušić outlined Croatia’s position concerning the written questions by member state sent in earlier.
After the presentation of the state of human rights in Croatia and harmonizing recommendations by Troika (Cameroon, Qatar and the Netherlands), the UPR for Croatia is to be temporarily adopted on 13 November 2020.