Informed citizens monitor the prevention of future violations of H. Rights and work of the Office of the Croatian Representative before the ECtHR

About this project

<p style="text-align: left"><span style="font-size: 11pt"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif">The project will influence the unavailability of information on the measures that the Republic of Croatia must implement on the basis of ECtHR decisions/judgments and the non-participation of CSOs in the monitoring of the Office of the Croatian Representative before the ECtHR (Office of the Representative). A coalition of CSOs will require observation position in Executive council and access to draft action plans of the Representative who is the central coordinating body for the actions of enforcement of ECtHR's judgments and implementation. The Office of the Representative will more regularly inform the general and professional public about the progress of the implementation of judgments against the Republic of Croatia. </span></span></p> <p style="text-align: left"><span style="font-size: 11pt"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif">Project goal: To encourage public dialogue on improving the legal framework to prevent future violations of H. Rights due to the non-transparency of the Office of the Croatian Representative before the ECtHR and the public is informed on the implementation of ECtHR decisions/judgements &nbsp;and action plans as reporting of Croatia to the CoE Committee of Ministers, and a public dialogue on conciliation procedures undertaken by the Republic of Croatia is encouraged.</span></span></p>

Bilateral cooperation results

The Norwegian Helsinki Committee embarked on a transformative journey to strengthen the fabric of civil society in Croatia. To kickstart this initiative, the Committee conducted a comprehensive research study, focusing on the critical question of how well Croatia implements decisions from the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR). This important research was meticulously translated and disseminated in Zagreb, ensuring that the findings reached a wide audience. The research posed several probing questions, such as: What are the key institutions responsible for implementing ECHR decisions, and how do they collaborate? How does implementation manifest in practice, backed by case studies and relevant statistics? What procedures are in place for stakeholders, including individuals, NGOs, and media, to monitor the implementation of ECHR decisions? Are these processes transparent? What recommendations and practical changes have emerged over time to enhance the implementation system? By addressing these vital questions, the Norwegian Helsinki Committee sought to empower local CSOs, enhancing their ability to engage with the human rights landscape effectively. The initiative not only aimed to improve the implementation of ECHR decisions but also aspired to cultivate a culture of accountability and transparency within Croatian governance. Through this collaborative effort, the Norwegian Helsinki Committee envisioned a future where human rights advocacy flourishes, and the voices of the people are amplified, driving meaningful change and progress in the region.

Project partners

• The Norwegian Helsinki Committee Donor project partner· Norway
• Croatian Mediation Association Project partner· Croatia
• Faculty of Law, Univesity of Zagreb Project partner· Croatia