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Croatia presents law on wartime victims of sexual violence

Zagreb Embassy supported introduction of Croatia's Law on the Rights of Victims of Sexual Violence from the war in Croatia.

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Zagreb Embassy supported introduction of Croatia's Law on the Rights of Victims of Sexual Violence from the war in Croatia

Zagreb Embassy supported introduction of Croatia's Law on the Rights of Victims of Sexual Violence from the war in Croatia

The UK Embassy in Zagreb supported the introduction of Croatia’s Law on the Rights of Victims of Sexual Violence from the 1991-5 war in Croatia on Thursday. Even though it comes nearly two decade after the end of the war, we applaud the commitment of the Croatian Ministry of War Veterans’ in writing into Law comprehensive measures of care and rights for the persons – predominantly women - who suffered sexual abuse.

The widespread use of rape and other forms of sexual violence in armed conflicts around the world is one of the greatest, most persistent and most neglected injustices. The UK Foreign Secretary, William Hague, is working with UNHCR Special Envoy Angelina Jolie to build up international resolve to end sexual violence in conflict and bring perpetrators to justice.

On 10 to 13 June, Foreign Secretary Hague and Angelina Jolie will co-chair a Global Summit in London, gathering politicians from the 148 countries – over three quarters of all UN Member States – who have endorsed the Declaration of Commitment to End Sexual Violence in Conflict. Croatia is one of the 148 countries and its Foreign and European Minister Vesna Pusić is one of the Champions of the Initiative. All victims are painful and motivating incentives for all of us to act now.

Published 29 May 2014