Implementation issues

• Author: Bojic, Ines
• Pages: 99-102

99

8 IMPLEMENTATION ISSUES

8.1 Dissemination of information, dialogue with NGOs and between social

partners

a) Dissemination of information about legal protection against discrimination (Article

10 Directive 2000/43 and Article 12 Directive 2000/78)

All four ombudspersons are active in this field.

The most publicly visible is the Ombudsman’s office as the central body for protection

against discrimination. Information about discrimination in general and the work of the

Ombudsperson’s office are brought to the attention of persons concerned through various

media (TV, radio, internet, Twitter, Vimeo, etc). Such means, especially the

Ombudsperson’s website, could be used to a greater extent to disseminate more detailed

information on various forms of discrimination and protection mechanisms. In that

respect, the websites of the Gender Equality Ombudsperson and the Disability

Ombudsman are much more informative and useful for potential victims of

discrimination.436

Further, all the ombudspersons are active in organising seminars, roundtables and

training.

During 2019 they held numerous workshops and seminars, education sessions, lectures

as well national and international events, conferences and expert meetings with foreign

delegations and representatives of institutions, civil society organisations, state officials

and students.

b) Measures to encourage dialogue with NGOs with a view to promoting the principle

of equal treatment (Article 12 Directive 2000/43 and Article 14 Directive 2000/78)

Article 15 of the Anti-discrimination Act states that the Ombudsperson has to consult

social partners, civil society organisations dealing with human rights, organisations

dealing with the protection of the rights of various marginalised and minority groups,

churches and religious organisations as well as the National Council for National

Minorities.

A series of meetings/consultations dedicated to different grounds of discrimination were

held with different NGOs and human rights institutions. According to Article 15, the

Ombudsperson has to consult the stakeholders mentioned when submitting his or her

annual Report to the Croatian Parliament, as well as when drafting his or her opinions

and recommendations.

c) Measures to promote dialogue between social partners to give effect to the principle

of equal treatment within workplace practices, codes of p ractice, workforce

monitoring (Article 11 Directive 2000/43 and Article 13 Directive 2000/78)

Article 15 of the Anti-discrimination Act obliges the Ombudsperson to consult not only

with civil society organisations and other organisations dealing with the protection of

human rights, but also with social partners. According to the Anti-discrimination Act,

social partners are representative associations of trade unions and higher-level

employers.437

436 Gender Equality Ombudsperson, http://www.prs.hr/.

437 Anti-discrimination Act, Article 15 (2).