’WPC[ ’½S¹i^ÅņµńQ_‚Ió Ē_]=µ„ɏ”»ūŪÉCŽŽ\5°®ŠĄW÷“£Ąsš·śf‡[>m‡5/y^¤ĻyĖ“½IĄē®ī6ŪÄÄĞ<…1‡Ķ{.v@ S¼Ö$õ¹²šžŽ7.ŽŠ/ ŌGü(ėøp7MWÉŗäM,Ļø!8KęžĮ—Ąp<]`dU-‰)õńEč{„ųčr­·ø§%Żęūķ_ÓčŲ®¢\UŻ”WÖȎ¦w2T5іp?åkx„L²Å:lÄĢ¾ećup~āĢ±>ōń"-ļ…jųC± ¬>°(Jd­-Ÿ­»V3ń-'ˆhyx4? 0xČågEvJ+äˆūÆ»˜™`­„š“€Wå#«ņMLÕ¼¹ü囃R=ä«-Õ=䉡Š*IŪN0š%RŚąbĻT\›uéPĻ o’Kø‹^œAŸ#%Š'Yxłānõ’1‹ćĖŗK””½'÷{?TONæØŪ•³ “/ź}©‹’<ąļ%i@õ^…<}¹,źb8 ŹŻg…v"…eĪį£N«Ź‘;Š –c w]ķ’Zč.fĶ”ęuįū#|×Ō™dō§ž[)œ0ˆeŚ+²x:4 #Į¶UNw %Å 0:Ė^ w4)8 m:QNY˜HP LaserJet 4000 Series PSČŁŲŁŁŲČŁ0&Öd9 Z‹6Times New Roman RegularX(üœ$””ŌUSUS.,Ōā~a, ½ha+¢Ų+003|x ’U‹’ĄĄĄ Ż ƒüœ!ŻŌUSUS.,ŌŻ  ŻŌ_Ōņ ņŌ‡¼fø»XXŌÓ  ÓÓ  ÓCROATIAŌ#†X7X»¼fø@#Ōó óŠ ° ŠÓkÓĢĢņ ņŌ_ŌCEDAWŌ_Ō€€A/50/38€(1995)ó óŠ “ć ŠĢĢ556.€€The€Committee€considered€the€report€of€Croatia€that€had€been€requested€on€an€exceptionalŠ O Ÿ Šbasis€at€Ō_ŌCEDAWŌ_Ō's€thirteenth€session,€at€its€279th€meeting,€on€31€January€1995€(seeŠ 8 ˆ ŠŌ_ŌCEDAWŌ_Ō/C/CRO/SP.1).Š ! q ŠĢ557.€€The€representative€of€Croatia€made€a€statement€in€which€she€informed€the€Committee€aboutŠ ó C  Šthe€protection€of€human€rights€of€women€in€her€country€and€on€how€the€war€in€Croatia€had€affectedŠ Ü,  Šwomen.€€She€emphasized€that€women's€ability€to€exercise€their€human€rights€and€participate€at€allŠ Å  Šlevels€of€decision-making€in€her€country€should€be€considered€in€the€light€of€the€complex€situationŠ ®ž  Šof€the€war,€which€affected€various€parts€of€Croatia€differently.€€In€the€first€part€of€her€presentation,Š —ē  Šthe€representative€informed€members€of€the€Committee€about€the€Croatian€legislation€pertaining€toŠ €Š  Šwomen's€economic,€social€and€political€roles.€€The€Croatian€legislation€was€in€full€compliance€withŠ i¹ Šthe€provisions€of€the€Convention€and€the€representative€identified€the€various€laws€and€measures€inŠ R¢ ŠCroatia€that€ensured€equality€of€human€rights€of€men€and€women€according€to€those€provisions.€€InŠ ;‹ ŠCroatia€there€were€no€laws€or€regulations€that€discriminated€against€women.€€She€also€drew€attentionŠ $t Što€the€high€standards€of€the€protection€of€women€at€work,€during€maternity€and€in€health€in€general.€Š  ] ŠShe€pointed€out,€however,€that€in€spite€of€laws€and€measures€that€guaranteed€women's€equality€inŠ öF Šall€spheres€of€life€in€Croatia,€women€did€not€use€the€existing€legislation€to€its€fullest€extent,Š ß/ Šparticularly€in€so€far€as€their€rights€to€equal€political€participation€were€concerned.€€She€pointed€outŠ Č Šthat€the€war€in€her€country€prevented€women€from€Ō_ŌbenefitingŌ_Ō€fully€from€the€enabling€legislativeŠ ± Šenvironment,€and€as€a€result€of€the€war€women€in€Croatia€suffered€maltreatment,€torture,Š šź Šhumiliation,€degrading€treatment€and€rape.Š ƒÓ ŠĢ558.€€The€representative€of€Croatia€stated€that€women€accounted€for€23€per€cent€of€all€wounded€andŠ U„ Š20€per€cent€of€killed€civilians.€€Twelve€per€cent€of€wounded€women€suffered€disabilities€and€seriousŠ >Ž Šbodily€impairment.€€Women€accounted€for€24€per€cent€of€forcibly€disappeared€or€missing€persons.€Š ' w ŠThe€disturbing€violations€of€women's€rights€in€which€women€were€used€as€part€of€the€tactic€(as€tools)Š !` Šof€ethnic€cleansing€had€taken€place€at€the€end€of€1991€and€the€beginning€of€1992.€€Women€wereŠ ł!I  Šcaptured€and€detained€in€prisons,€where,€according€to€the€accounts€of€some€of€the€744€women€whoŠ ā"2! Šwere€subsequently€released€from€camps€in€Serbia,€the€conditions€were€extremely€poor.€€WomenŠ Ė#" Šwere€maltreated€and€often€beaten.€€The€representative€pointed€out€that€more€than€half€of€the€detainedŠ “$ # Šwomen€were€older€than€45.€€Children€were€also€detained€in€prisons€and€camps€along€with€women.€Š %ķ $ ŠThere€were€accounts€of€mass€rape€of€women.€€The€pattern€and€time€of€occurrence€of€mass€rapeŠ †&Ö!% Šsuggested€strongly€that€it€was€used€as€a€method€of€ethnic€cleansing.€€Rapes€were€perpetrated€withinŠ o'æ"& Šthe€occupied€territories€of€Croatia€and€in€the€detention€camps€located€in€Serbia.Š X(Ø#' ŠĢ559.€€The€problem€of€forcibly€disappeared€or€missing€persons€involves€two€categories€of€womenŠ **z%) Švictims:€women€who€are€themselves€forcibly€disappeared€and€missing,€and€women€whose€familyŠ +c&* Šmembers€are€forcibly€disappeared€and€missing.€€All€this€causes€the€most€complex€problems.Š ü+L'+ ŠĢ560.€€The€Croatian€Government€organized€the€provision€of€help€and€support€to€victims€of€war.€€ItŠ Ī-)- ŠŌ_Ōmade€a€commendable€effort€to€collect€information€relating€to€the€violation€of€women's€rights€byŠ ° Šencouraging€women€to€provide€the€testimonies€of€those€violations.€€Testimonies€by€womenŠ ™é Šconstituted€not€only€the€source€of€information€on€violations€of€women's€rights,€but€also€a€form€ofŠ ‚Ņ Špsychological€support€and€therapy€that€were€badly€needed€by€women€who€had€experienced€theŠ k» Šphysical€and€emotional€scars€of€rape.€€Five€hundred€testimonies€of€women€victims€of€various€formsŠ T¤ Šof€maltreatment€were€collected.€€Among€those€cases€rape€accounted€for€10€per€cent.€€Sixty€per€centŠ =  Šof€raped€women€were,€at€the€same€time,€victims€of€torture€and€maltreatment.€€It€is€believed,€however,Š & v Šthat€the€actual€number€of€raped€women€is€much€higher€than€that€reported.€€For€cultural,€religious€andŠ  _ Šhistorical€reasons€women€sometimes€do€not€report€sexual€abuse€or€deny€its€occurrence.€€As€aŠ ų H Šconsequence€of€rape,€four€children€were€born.€€The€representative€of€Croatia€stated€that€all€suchŠ į 1  Šchildren€were€cared€for€by€their€mothers€and€their€respective€families,€by€foster€families€or€by€theŠ Ź   Šappropriate€government€institutions.Š ³  ŠĢ561.€€The€Government€of€Croatia€had€made€significant€efforts€to€provide€assistance€to€103,671Š …Õ  Šdisplaced€and€111,017€refugee€women€in€the€territory€of€Croatia€who€had€suffered€violations€of€theirŠ n¾  Šhuman€rights,€including€rape€and€maltreatment.€€They€were€provided€with€basic€necessities€such€asŠ W§  Šfood,€accommodation,€health€care€and€schooling.€€At€the€beginning€of€1993,€the€Government€hadŠ @ Šestablished€a€comprehensive€Ō_ŌprogrammeŌ_Ō€for€the€protection€and€assistance€of€the€victims€of€war,Š )y Šconsisting€of€10€projects.€€One€project€dealt€with€the€provision€of€Ō_ŌgynaecologicalŌ_Ō€care€for€womenŠ b Šwho€had€suffered€sexual€abuse.€€However,€the€Government€was€not€able€to€implement€thatŠ ūK ŠŌ_ŌprogrammeŌ_Ō€because€of€lack€of€financial€resources€and€lack€of€support€from€internationalŠ ä4 Šorganizations€and€foreign€Governments.Š Ķ ŠĢņņGeneral€observationsóóŠ Ÿļ ŠĢ562.€€Members€of€the€Committee€thanked€the€representative€of€Croatia€for€the€submission€of€aŠ qĮ Šthorough€and€comprehensive€report€despite€the€extremely€difficult€circumstances€in€her€country.€Š ZŖ ŠOne€member€deplored€the€fact€that€the€Croatian€Government€had€not€been€able€to€present€the€reportŠ C“ Šlast€year€as€requested.€€Members€expressed€their€satisfaction€with€the€efforts€of€the€Government€ofŠ ,| ŠCroatia€to€reflect€the€provisions€of€the€Convention€in€the€Croatian€legislation€and€to€ensure€equalityŠ e Šbetween€men€and€women€in€all€spheres€of€life.€€They€deplored€the€violations€of€women's€humanŠ žN Šrights€that€took€place€in€the€context€of€the€war€and€expressed€their€concerns€at€the€impact€thoseŠ ē 7 Šviolations€had€on€women's€lives€and€their€physical€and€mental€health.€€They€commended€theŠ Š!   ŠGovernment€of€Croatia€for€its€effort€to€provide€assistance€to€women€victims€of€war.Š ¹" ! ŠĢ563.€€Members€of€the€Committee€expressed€their€solidarity€with€the€women€of€Croatia€and€theirŠ ‹$Ū# Šhope€that€a€peaceful€solution€to€the€war€would€be€found€soon.€€One€member€said€that€from€the€reportŠ t%Ä $ Šof€Croatia€she€had€concluded€that€there€had€been€no€aggression€against€women€living€in€Croatia.€Š ]&­!% ŠShe€also€understood€that€the€events€described€in€the€report€were€events€that€had€taken€place€in€theŠ F'–"& Špast€and€involved€primarily€refugee€women€from€Bosnia€and€Herzegovina.€€She€thus€wanted€toŠ /(#' Šknow€if€her€understanding€of€the€situation€was€correct€and€that€the€events€described€in€the€reportŠ )h$( Šwere€not€happening€currently.€€She€also€wanted€to€know€if€women€who€had€suffered€rape€in€theŠ *Q%) Šcourse€of€the€military€conflict€had€been€able€to€have€access€to€the€abortion€services,€psychotherapyŠ ź*:&* Šand€adoption€services€and€if€they€were€entitled€to€monetary€compensation.€€Responding€to€thatŠ Ó+#'+ Šcomment,€the€representative€of€Croatia€stated€that€women€who€became€pregnant€as€a€consequenceŠ ¼, (, Šof€rape€had€a€right€to€abortion.€€Women€could€also€decide€whether€to€keep€children€conceived€as€aŠ „-õ(- Šresult€of€rape€or€offer€them€for€adoption.€€Women€in€Croatia€were€still€the€victims€of€the€atrocitiesŠ ° Šcommitted€against€them€in€the€temporarily€occupied€territories.€€During€the€period€from€April€1992Š ™é Što€September€1993,€12,468€persons€had€been€forcibly€displaced€from€the€occupied€territories,€andŠ ‚Ņ Šplaced€temporarily€under€United€Nations€protection;€the€representative€referred€members€of€theŠ k» ŠCommittee€to€the€table€that€had€been€submitted€to€them€prior€to€the€meeting.Š T¤ ŠĢ564.€€One€member€of€the€Committee€requested€further€information€concerning€the€Ō_ŌgynaecologicalŌ_ŌŠ & v Štreatment€Ō_ŌprogrammeŌ_Ō€for€the€victims€of€rape€that€had€been€mentioned€in€the€representative'sŠ  _ Špresentation.€€Other€members€requested€more€information€on€the€lack€of€financing€for€thatŠ ų H ŠŌ_ŌprogrammeŌ_Ō€so€that€they€could€make€a€proposal€with€respect€to€that€issue.Š į 1  ŠĢ565.€€Members€wanted€to€know€if€the€Government€of€Croatia€had€succeeded€in€bringing€personsŠ ³  Šresponsible€for€the€violation€of€women's€human€rights€and€for€war€crimes€to€the€InternationalŠ œģ  ŠTribunal€for€the€former€Yugoslavia.€€She€also€wanted€to€know€if€there€had€been€any€incidents€ofŠ …Õ  Šaggression€against€and€abuse€of€women€by€the€Croatian€army.€€In€reply,€the€representative€pointedŠ n¾  Šout€that€the€Croatian€army€was€organized€to€defend€the€country€against€the€"brutal€SerbianŠ W§  Šaggression"€and,€initially,€had€not€even€been€properly€armed.€€She€stated€that€it€was€conceivable€thatŠ @ Šrapes€by€the€Croatian€army€had€occurred;€nevertheless,€rape€had€never€been€used€by€the€CroatianŠ )y Šarmy€as€a€tool€of€ethnic€cleansing.€€Any€confirmed€cases€of€rape€by€Croatian€soldiers€would€beŠ b Šprosecuted€under€Croatian€law.Š ūK ŠĢ566.€€The€Committee€members€expressed€their€concern€at€the€lack€of€national€machinery€for€theŠ Ķ Šadvancement€of€women€and€for€the€protection€of€their€human€rights.€€They€acknowledged€theŠ ¶ Šparticularly€difficult€circumstances€in€Croatia,€but€nevertheless€stressed€that€national€machinery€forŠ Ÿļ Šwomen€was€very€important€and€could€be€very€helpful€to€women€in€such€times€of€difficultŠ ˆŲ Šcircumstances.€€As€women€tended€frequently€to€be€treated€as€second-class€citizens,€they€neededŠ qĮ Šspokespersons€to€uphold€their€rights€and€articulate€their€special€needs.Š ZŖ ŠĢ567.€€With€regard€to€missing€persons€mentioned€in€the€report,€one€member€pointed€out€that€sheŠ ,| Šappreciated€the€fact€that€the€Government€of€Croatia€was€in€touch€with€the€Working€Group€onŠ e ŠEnforced€or€Involuntary€Disappearances€of€the€Commission€on€Human€Rights.€€She€suggested€thatŠ žN Šthe€Government€should€also€get€in€touch€with€the€Special€Rapporteur€on€violence€against€women.Š ē 7 ŠĢ568.€€Questions€were€raised€with€respect€to€the€Comprehensive€Ō_ŌProgrammeŌ_Ō€for€Protection€and€HelpŠ ¹" ! Što€Victims€of€War€initiated€by€the€Government€of€Croatia€in€1993.€€One€member€of€the€CommitteeŠ ¢#ņ" Šcommented€that€it€was€incomprehensible€that€such€a€Ō_ŌprogrammeŌ_Ō€was€unable€to€secure€the€necessaryŠ ‹$Ū# Šfunding.€€She€herself€was€aware€of€funds€available€in€Germany€for€the€financing€of€such€Ō_ŌprogrammesŌ_ŌŠ t%Ä $ Šin€the€zones€of€military€conflict€in€the€former€Yugoslavia.€€She€wanted€to€know:€€(a)€whoŠ ]&­!% Šcoordinated€the€efforts€to€obtain€funding€for€that€Ō_ŌprogrammeŌ_Ō;€(b)€whether€it€was€the€Government€orŠ F'–"& Šnon-governmental€organizations;€(c)€why€their€efforts€did€not€succeed;€and€(d)€whether€the€lack€ofŠ /(#' Šsuccess€was€the€result€of€excessive€bureaucracy.€€In€reply,€the€representative€of€Croatia€stated€thatŠ )h$( Šthe€Ō_ŌprogrammeŌ_Ō€was€a€comprehensive€effort€designed€to€help€all€victims€of€war.€€She€confirmed€thatŠ *Q%) Šsubstantial€help€and€resources€had€been€committed€to€Croatia€for€the€purpose€of€solving€variousŠ ź*:&* Šproblems€of€refugees€and€displaced€persons.€€The€biggest€portion€was€used€to€cover€their€extensiveŠ Ó+#'+ Šbasic€needs,€such€as€accommodation,€food,€schooling€and€health€care.€€Over€the€past€year,€someŠ ¼, (, Š$24,200,000€had€been€spent€on€health€care€for€refugees.€€Although€that€Ō_ŌprogrammeŌ_Ō€did€not€receiveŠ „-õ(- Šdirect€financial€support,€assistance€to€victimized€women€and€other€persons€who€suffered€as€a€resultŠ ° Šof€the€war€was€provided€through€regular€funds€obtained€by€the€Government€of€Croatia.Š ™é ŠĢ569.€€Having€expressed€her€concern€at€the€maltreatment€and€rape€of€women€during€the€war€inŠ k» ŠCroatia,€one€member€of€the€Committee€commented€on€the€role€of€Ō_ŌNGOsŌ_Ō€and€women's€organizationsŠ T¤ Šwith€respect€to€the€current€situation€of€women€in€Croatia€and€in€the€Ō_ŌneighbouringŌ_Ō€republics.€€SheŠ =  Šwanted€to€know€what€women's€organizations€existed€in€Croatia€and€how€they€cooperated€withŠ & v Šinternational€non-governmental€organizations.€€She€also€wanted€to€know€which€internationalŠ  _ Šnon-governmental€organizations€had€visited€Croatia.€€She€asked€the€representative€to€stateŠ ų H Šspecifically€what€kind€of€assistance€her€Government€wanted€the€Committee€to€provide.€€ConcerningŠ į 1  Šthe€involvement€of€Ō_ŌNGOsŌ_Ō,€the€representative€of€Croatia€stated€that€her€Government€appreciated€theirŠ Ź   Šassistance€and€their€effort€to€deliver€help€to€the€victims€of€the€war.Š ³  ŠĢ570.€€Several€members€of€the€Committee€commended€the€Government€of€Croatia€on€its€effort€toŠ …Õ  Šprovide€the€information€on€the€situation€of€women€in€that€country.€€They€condemned€mass€rape€andŠ n¾  Šdeplored€its€use€as€a€weapon€of€ethnic€cleansing.€€They€encouraged€the€Government€to€seek€peacefulŠ W§  Šmeans€to€resolve€the€military€conflict.€€But€they€also€stated€that€peace€was€not€just€the€absence€ofŠ @ Šwar,€but€also€social€justice€for€all.€€They€called€for€punishment€of€the€perpetrators€and€wanted€toŠ )y Šknow€what€had€been€done€in€that€respect,€whether€complaints€had€been€taken€to€the€newlyŠ b Šestablished€International€Tribunal€and€how€women€were€involved€in€that€process.€€Members€of€theŠ ūK ŠCommittee€expressed€concern€at€the€effects€of€the€war€on€children€and€wanted€to€know€whetherŠ ä4 Šchildren€had€continuing€access€to€education€and€how€war€and€the€crimes€committed€in€that€contextŠ Ķ Šwere€reflected€in€school€curricula.Š ¶ ŠĢ571.€€Members€noted€that€the€report€of€the€representative€of€Croatia€documented€and€properlyŠ ˆŲ Šidentified€the€gender-specific€impact€of€the€war.€€They€commented€on€the€positive€effects€ofŠ qĮ Šbreaking€the€silence€and€letting€women€talk€about€crimes€committed€against€them.€€One€memberŠ ZŖ Šcited€the€document€prepared€by€the€United€Nations€Educational,€Scientific€and€Cultural€OrganizationŠ C“ Š(UNESCO)€that€defined€the€rape€of€women€during€the€war€as€"the€war€crime".€€She€stated€that€theŠ ,| ŠUNESCO€report€stressed€the€need€to€"name€the€guilty€and€record€the€crime€in€law"€and€she€wishedŠ e Šthe€representative€of€Croatia€to€respond€to€that€statement.€€She€also€wanted€to€know€what,€ifŠ žN Šanything,€had€been€done€to€provide€women€who€had€suffered€rape€and€other€forms€of€abuse€with€theŠ ē 7 Šmonetary€compensation€for€their€suffering.Š Š!   ŠĢ572.€€Responding€to€questions€concerning€the€punishment€of€perpetrators€of€war€crimes,€theŠ ¢#ņ" Šrepresentative€of€Croatia€stated€that€her€Government€had€established€a€Commission€on€War€CrimesŠ ‹$Ū# Šwhich€was€collecting€data€and€evidence€concerning€war€crimes.€€The€International€Tribunal€for€theŠ t%Ä $ ŠProsecution€of€Persons€Responsible€for€Serious€Violations€of€International€Humanitarian€LawŠ ]&­!% ŠCommitted€in€the€Territory€of€the€Former€Yugoslavia€since€1991€had€been€established€and€its€workŠ F'–"& Šhad€just€begun.€€The€Government€of€Croatia€was€cooperating€fully€with€the€Tribunal€and€had€alreadyŠ /(#' Šforwarded€to€the€Tribunal€the€data€it€had€collected.€€In€order€to€bring€the€perpetrators€to€trial,Š )h$( Šhowever,€the€full€support€and€cooperation€of€the€international€community€was€essential.Š *Q%) ŠĢ573.€€Members€of€the€Committee€raised€questions€relating€to€the€reintegration€into€society€of€theŠ Ó+#'+ Švictims€of€sexual€and€other€forms€of€abuse.€€Concerns€were€expressed€at€the€impact€those€events€hadŠ ¼, (, Šon€young€girls€who€might€need€psychiatric€and€other€help€for€some€time€to€come.€€The€CommitteeŠ „-õ(- Šmembers€encouraged€the€Government€of€Croatia€to€follow€up€the€victims€on€a€case-by-case€basis.Š ° ŠĢ574.€€One€member€commented€that€in€the€past,€women€in€Croatia€had€been€used€as€a€tool€of€war.€Š ‚Ņ ŠShe€stated€that€the€time€had€come€for€women€in€that€country€to€become€the€heart€of€the€"machineryŠ k» Šfor€peacešš.€€She€encouraged€the€Government€to€initiate€the€dialogue€on€peace€and€expressed€herŠ T¤ Šhope€that€a€peaceful€solution€would€soon€be€found.Š =  ŠĢ575.€€Members€of€the€Committee€commended€the€Government€of€Croatia€for€its€efforts€to€provideŠ  _ Šwomen€who€suffered€as€victims€of€war€with€assistance,€health€care€and€psychological€Ō_ŌcounsellingŌ_Ō.€Š ų H ŠOne€member€raised€the€question€of€the€possible€spread€of€HIV/AIDS€among€abused€women€and€theŠ į 1  Šdevastating€impact€it€would€have€on€the€country€and€its€women.€€She€wanted€to€know€if€anyŠ Ź   Šinformation€on€the€magnitude€of€that€disease€was€available€to€be€sent€to€members€wishing€to€see€it.Š ³  ŠĢ576.€€Responding€to€the€question€concerning€the€spread€of€HIV/AIDS,€the€representative€of€CroatiaŠ …Õ  Šstated€that€information€had€been€collected€and€would€be€presented€in€the€next€report.€€She€also€statedŠ n¾  Šthat€her€Government€had€undertaken€a€comprehensive€Ō_ŌprogrammeŌ_Ō€to€control€the€spread€of€theŠ W§  Šdisease.Š @ ŠĢ577.€€The€Committee€members€commended€the€Government€of€Croatia€on€its€efforts€to€extend€careŠ b Šand€protection€to€refugee€and€displaced€persons€on€the€territory€of€Croatia.€€They€wanted€to€knowŠ ūK Šhow€many€children€were€among€the€displaced€population€and€whether€they€received€adequate€care.€Š ä4 ŠThey€wanted€to€know€if€medical€help€was€available€to€them€and€how€they€were€prepared€forŠ Ķ Šreintegration€into€the€life€of€the€society€after€the€trauma€of€war.Š ¶ ŠĢ578.€€In€referring€to€the€problems€of€refugees€and€their€dependants,€the€representative€of€CroatiaŠ ˆŲ Šstated€that€refugee€women€received€financial€support€that€was€augmented€if€they€had€children.€€TheyŠ qĮ Šalso€had€full€rights€to€primary€health€care€and€education€in€Croatia,€and€to€secondary€health€care€inŠ ZŖ Šthe€event€of€life-threatening€problems,€free€of€charge.€€The€Government€of€Croatia€sought€to€assistŠ C“ Špersons€disabled€by€the€war€and€to€provide€psychological€and€social€support€to€victimized€women.Š ,| ŠĢ579.€€Concerns€were€expressed€at€the€low€participation€of€Croatian€women€in€the€political€process.€Š žN ŠIt€was€stated€that,€as€the€main€agents€of€peace,€women€had€to€come€to€the€forefront€of€all€levels€ofŠ ē 7 Šdecision-making.€€They€should€therefore€be€encouraged€to€participate€more€actively€in€the€politicalŠ Š!   Šprocess.€€In€reply,€the€representative€of€Croatia€stated€that€women€in€her€country€participated€in€theŠ ¹" ! Šdecision-making€process,€although€somewhat€insufficiently.€€She€cited€some€progress€in€that€respectŠ ¢#ņ" Šin€the€judiciary€and€referred€members€of€the€Committee€to€the€initial€report€for€more€informationŠ ‹$Ū# Šon€the€issue.€€She€stressed€that€the€reason€for€the€low€participation€of€women€in€decision-making€wasŠ t%Ä $ Šthe€war€and€its€consequences.€€She€emphasized€that€women€in€Croatia€had€a€right€to€participate€inŠ ]&­!% Šdecision-making€at€all€levels,€a€right€which€was€upheld€by€the€Constitution€and€recorded€in€law.Š F'–"& ŠĢ580.€€The€view€was€expressed€that€throughout€the€war€in€the€former€Yugoslavia,€women€were€usedŠ )h$( Šas€a€weapon€of€war.€€Women€should€use€that€common€experience€to€initiate€peace.€€The€CommitteeŠ *Q%) Šurged€the€women€of€Croatia€and€the€women€of€other€regions€that€suffered€from€the€war€to€join€theirŠ ź*:&* Šefforts€in€their€search€for€a€peaceful€solution€to€the€military€conflict.Š Ó+#'+ ŠĢ581.€€The€representative€of€Croatia€thanked€the€members€of€the€Committee€for€their€interest€in€theŠ „-õ(- Šsituation€of€women€in€Croatia€and€for€their€solidarity€with€the€victims€of€the€war.Š ° ŠĢņņConcluding€comments€of€the€CommitteeóóŠ ‚Ņ Šą  ąĢņņIntroductionóóŠ T¤ ŠĢ582.€€The€Committee€commended€the€representative€of€Croatia€for€submitting,€at€its€request,€herŠ & v Šcountry's€report€on€an€exceptional€basis,€in€spite€of€the€difficult€situation€which€Croatia€is€stillŠ  _ Šundergoing.Š ų H ŠĢņņPositive€aspectsóóŠ Ź   ŠĢ583.€€The€Committee€took€note€of€the€sufficient€information€and€data,€which€confirm€that€theŠ œģ  Šprinciple€of€equality€is€laid€down€in€the€Constitution€of€Croatia,€that€the€protection€of€the€rights€ofŠ …Õ  Šwomen€is€institutionalized€and€that€the€provisions€of€the€Convention€are€an€integral€part€of€theŠ n¾  Šcountry's€legislation.Š W§  ŠĢ584.€€The€Committee€noted€with€relief€that€the€Government€of€Croatia,€the€United€Nations€andŠ )y Šinternational€cooperation€have€set€up€support€programmes€for€women€and€girls€who€were€the€victimsŠ b Šof€violence€in€order€to€provide€them€with€the€psychological,€medical€and€social€assistance€that€theyŠ ūK Šrequire.Š ä4 ŠĢņņPrincipal€subjects€of€concernóóŠ ¶ ŠĢ585.€€The€Committee€noted€with€concern€that€following€the€war€in€which€Croatia€was€the€victim,Š ˆŲ Šthe€situation€of€women€in€the€occupied€areas€is€alarming.€€Violations€of€the€rights€of€women,Š qĮ Šviolence,€rape€and€sexual€abuse€were€perpetrated€against€women€and€girls€because€of€their€sex.Š ZŖ ŠĢ586.€€The€Committee€noted€with€dismay€that€rape€became€systematic€in€nature€and€was€used€asŠ ,| Š"weapon€of€war"€in€order€to€force€women€to€undergo€humiliation€and€torture€and€leave€their€homes.€Š e ŠThe€specific€objective€of€the€aggression€was€not€only€territorial€gain,€but€was€also€part€of€the€policyŠ žN Šof€"ethnic€cleansing".Š ē 7 ŠĢ587.€€The€Committee€was€also€deeply€concerned€about€the€fact€that€many€women€were€still€missingŠ ¹" ! Šand€about€the€material€and€psychological€effect€this€had€on€their€families.Š ¢#ņ" ŠĢņņSuggestions€and€recommendationsóóŠ t%Ä $ ŠĢ588.€€The€Committee€recommends€the€establishment€of€a€national€mechanism€to€protect€and€expandŠ F'–"& Šthe€rights€of€women€and€encourage€participation€by€women€in€the€political€field,€decision-makingŠ /(#' Šand€the€struggle€for€peace.€€Although€women€were€used€by€men€as€"a€weapon€of€war",€theirŠ )h$( Šsolidarity€and€their€organization€in€non-governmental€organizations€can€constitute€an€instrument€forŠ *Q%) Špeace.Š ź*:&* ŠĢ589.€€The€Committee€recommends€that€the€displaced€and€refugee€women€should€not€be€marginalizedŠ ¼, (, Šand€that€they€should€be€provided€with€necessary€support€and€assistance€by€the€Croatian€Government.Š „-õ(- Š‡590.€€The€Committee€encourages€the€Government€of€Croatia€to€continue€its€efforts€and€its€socialŠ ° Šintegration€programmes,€particularly€for€girls,€who€are€just€beginning€their€lives.Š ™é ŠĢ591.€€The€Committee€recommends€above€all€that€it€is€necessary€to€break€the€silence€concerning€theŠ k» Šsexual€abuse€and€aggression€of€which€women€are€the€victims,€identify€the€guilty€parties€and€bringŠ T¤ Šthem€before€national€and€international€courts,€and€provide€financial€compensation€to€the€victims.Š =  ŠĢĢĢĢĢĢĢĢĢĢĢĢĢĢĢĢĢĢĢĢĢĢĢĢĢĢĢĢĢĢ______________________Š t%Ä $ Šą  ąņņ10óó/€[ņņOfficial€Records€of€the€General€Assemblyóó],€ņņForty„ninth€session,€Supplement€No.€€38óóŠ ]&­!% Š(A/49/38),€chap.€€I,€sect.€€B.Š  F'–"& Šņ ņŌ_ŌCEDAWŌ_Ō€€A/53/38/Rev.1€Ō_Ō(1998)ó óŌ_ŌŠ ° ŠĢĢ80.€€The€Committee€considered€the€initial€report€of€Croatia€(Ō_ŌCEDAWŌ_Ō/C/CRO/1)€at€its€363rd,€364thŠ l¼ Šand€368th€meetings,€on€21€and€23€January€1998€(see€Ō_ŌCEDAWŌ_Ō/C/SR.363,€364€and€368).€Š U„ ŠĢ81.€€The€representative€of€Croatia€indicated€that€her€country€had€acceded€to€the€Convention€on€theŠ ' w ŠElimination€of€All€Forms€of€Discrimination€against€Women,€without€reservations,€on€8€OctoberŠ  ` Š1991.€€The€initial€report€covers€the€period€up€to€1994€and€the€next€report€will€be€a€combined€secondŠ ł I Šand€third€report.Š ā 2  ŠĢ82.€€The€representative€informed€the€Committee€that,€at€the€time€of€submission€of€the€initial€report,Š “  Špeace€is€the€priority€in€her€country.€€However,€she€emphasizes€that€only€through€peace€and€theŠ ķ  Šdevelopment€of€democracy€will€women€be€able€to€achieve€advancement€in€all€areas.€€Croatia€hasŠ †Ö  Šfinally€achieved€a€level€of€peace,€stability€and€security€that€has€enabled€it€to€channel€its€activitiesŠ oæ  Štowards€social€development€and€the€promotion€and€protection€of€human€rights.€€The€advancementŠ XØ  Šand€empowerment€of€women€in€all€areas€of€public€life€are€essential€for€the€full€implementation€ofŠ A‘ Šsocial€justice€in€a€democratic€society.€Š *z ŠĢ83.€€The€Commission€for€Equality€of€the€Government€of€the€Republic€of€Croatia€was€established€inŠ üL ŠMay€1996€and€has€drawn€up€the€national€policy€for€the€promotion€of€equality,€based€on€the€BeijingŠ å5 ŠPlatform€for€Action,€after€consultation€with€women's€non-governmental€organizations.€€The€policyŠ Ī Šwas€adopted€by€the€Government€in€December€1997.Š · ŠĢ84.€€The€national€policy€provides€for€specific€measures€to€achieve€particular€goals€in€the€areas€ofŠ ‰Ł Špolitical€decision-making,€the€economy€and€the€economic€position€of€women,€health€care,€education,Š rĀ Šhuman€rights€of€women€and€violence€against€women€in€war€and€peace.€Š [« ŠĢ85.€€Another€representative€informed€the€Committee€of€the€implementation€of€the€Convention€in€theŠ -} Šarea€of€justice.€€She€noted€that€constitutional€rights€of€Croatian€women€are€protected€by€theŠ f ŠŌ_ŌombudspersonŌ_Ō€and€that€both€women€and€men€are€entitled€to€all€legal€remedies€available€throughŠ ’O Šcourt€proceedings.€€A€new€penal€law€has€been€introduced€and€its€implementation€began€on€1€JanuaryŠ č 8 Š1998.€€She€introduced€statistics€on€acts€of€violence€against€women,€rape€in€marriage,€sexualŠ Ń!!  Šharassment,€prostitution€(including€international€prostitution)€and€other€criminal€acts.€€Trends€inŠ ŗ" ! Šsuch€Ō_ŌbehaviourŌ_Ō€have€instigated€changes€in€the€penal€code.€€The€representative€noted,€however,€thatŠ £#ó" Šboth€men€and€women€may€be€perpetrators€and€victims€of€crime.€Š Œ$Ü# ŠĢ86.€€A€number€of€legislative€provisions€provide€special€protection€for€the€family€and,€in€particular,Š ^&®!% Šfor€women€in€their€role€as€mothers€and€Ō_ŌcaregiversŌ_Ō.€€Special€rights€are€accorded€to€women€and€theseŠ G'—"& Šare€not€regarded€as€discriminating€against€men,€whose€rights€are€also€recognized.€€Parenthood€is€seenŠ 0(€#' Šas€a€joint€responsibility€and€this€is€reflected€in€legislation€and€by-laws.€Š )i$( ŠĢ87.€€Women€are€not€allowed€to€work€in€jobs€involving€hard€physical€labour€or€underground€orŠ ė*;&* Šunderwater€labour,€nor€in€any€jobs€classified€detrimental€to€the€life€of€women.€€Night€work€isŠ Ō+$'+ Šprohibited€by€law€unless€it€is€approved€under€special€circumstances€and€conditions.€€Employers€areŠ ½, (, Šprohibited€from€requesting€information€on€matters€unrelated€to€employment€issues,€and€this€is€aŠ ¦-ö(- ŠŌ_Ōmeans€of€protecting€pregnant€women€from€discrimination€in€the€workplace.€Š ° ŠĢ88.€€Minor€changes€to€the€law€on€health€care€have€been€introduced€since€the€initial€report.€€HealthŠ ‚Ņ Šinsurance€and€causes€of€hospitalization€are€described€and€it€is€noted€that€statistics€on€termination€ofŠ k» Špregnancy€showed€that€abortions€and€miscarriages€are€at€the€lowest€level€ever.€Š T¤ ŠĢ89.€€The€national€policy€on€equality,€which€implements€the€Platform€for€Action,€was€adopted€inŠ & v ŠBeijing€in€December€1997.€€The€policy€was€developed€to€promote€equality€and€is€a€mandatoryŠ  _ Šdocument,€with€Ministries€and€other€authorities€being€obliged€to€carry€out€its€provisions.€€TheŠ ų H Špolicy,€which€was€developed€in€cooperation€with€non-governmental€organizations€and€theŠ į 1  ŠCommission€for€Equality,€consists€of€two€parts,€a€survey€of€the€existing€situation€and€specificŠ Ź   Šmeasures€to€address€crucial€areas.€Š ³  ŠĢ90.€€The€representative€concluded€her€presentation€by€examining€particular€articles€of€theŠ …Õ  ŠConvention€and€their€implementation.€€She€indicated€that€there€is€a€high€unemployment€rate€forŠ n¾  Šwomen,€although€there€are€equal€opportunities€for€women€in€education€and€employment.€Š W§  ŠĢņņConcluding€comments€of€the€CommitteeóóŠ )y ŠĢņņIntroductionóóŠ ūK ŠĢ91.€€The€Committee€congratulates€the€Government€of€Croatia€for€ratifying€the€Convention€withoutŠ Ķ Šreservations€and€notes€with€satisfaction€that€the€country's€initial€report€followed€the€guidelines€andŠ ¶ Špresents€comprehensive€data€on€the€situation€of€women€in€Croatia.€Š Ÿļ ŠĢ92.€€The€Committee€welcomes€the€excellent€oral€presentation€of€the€Croatian€delegation,€whichŠ qĮ Šsupplements€and€updates€the€written€report.€€The€Committee€expresses€its€appreciation€to€theŠ ZŖ ŠGovernment€of€Croatia€for€its€high-level€delegation,€headed€by€the€Deputy€Minister€for€Labour€andŠ C“ ŠSocial€Welfare.€€This€demonstrates€the€State€party's€commitment€to€the€Convention€and€itsŠ ,| Šappreciation€of€the€work€of€the€Committee.€Š e ŠĢ93.€€The€Committee€further€welcomes€the€extensive€answers€provided€by€the€delegation€to€itsŠ ē 7 Šquestions.€€This€reflects€a€sincere€effort€by€Croatia€to€address€the€concerns€raised€by€the€CommitteeŠ Š!   Šduring€the€presentation€of€the€State€party's€report.€Š ¹" ! ŠĢņņPositive€aspectsóóŠ ‹$Ū# ŠĢ94.€€The€Committee€commends€the€Government€on€the€fact€that€the€Convention€has€beenŠ ]&­!% Šincorporated€into€the€national€laws€of€Croatia€and€may€be€invoked€before€the€courts€by€any€citizen.€Š F'–"& ŠĢ95.€€The€Committee€welcomes€the€establishment€of€the€Commission€for€Equality€in€Croatia.€€It€alsoŠ )h$( Šwelcomes€the€national€policy€for€the€promotion€of€equality,€which€has€been€adopted€to€implementŠ *Q%) Šthe€Beijing€Platform€for€Action.€€The€Committee€is€pleased€to€be€provided€with€copies€of€theŠ ź*:&* Šnational€policy.€Š Ó+#'+ ŠĢ96.€€The€Committee€commends€the€efforts€made€by€the€Government€of€Croatia€to€cooperate€withŠ „-õ(- Šcivil€society€and€non-governmental€organizations€and€its€promise€of€further€efforts€to€improveŠ ° Šcooperation€with€non-governmental€organizations€in€the€future,€particularly€in€view€of€the€presenceŠ ™é Šof€highly€competent€and€active€women's€non-governmental€organizations€in€Croatia.€€TheŠ ‚Ņ ŠCommittee€welcomes€the€fact€that€the€national€policy€envisaged€cooperation€with€suchŠ k» Šorganizations.€Š T¤ ŠĢ97.€€The€Committee€notes€with€satisfaction€the€delegation's€oral€responses,€reflecting€willingnessŠ & v Što€give€further€consideration€to€areas€and€concerns€raises€by€the€Committee.€€In€this€context,€theŠ  _ ŠCommittee€is€very€pleased€to€hear€the€Government's€oral€commitment€to€examine€the€followingŠ ų H Šissues€in€the€light€of€the€Committee's€suggestions:€Š į 1  ŠĢ(a)€€The€need€for€measures€to€eliminate€stereotypes€that€restrict€women's€role€to€that€of€mothers€andŠ ³  Šcaregivers;€Š œģ  ŠĢ(b)€€The€need€for€measures€to€improve€the€participation€of€women€in€political€life;€Š n¾  ŠĢ(c)€€The€appointment€of€a€deputy€ombudsperson€to€deal€specifically€with€women's€rights;€Š @ ŠĢ(d)€€The€need€to€improve€public€awareness€about€the€Convention€so€that€it€may€be€used€moreŠ b Šfrequently€throughout€the€judicial€system;€Š ūK ŠĢ(e)€€The€possibility€of€instituting€a€system€of€restraining€orders,€in€particular€to€protect€womenŠ Ķ Šsubjected€to€domestic€violence;€Š ¶ ŠĢ(f)€€The€need€to€commence€a€dialogue€and€to€coordinate€efforts€with€trade€unions€on€measures€toŠ ˆŲ Šprotect€women€in€the€area€of€employment,€in€particular€with€respect€to€illegal€pressuring€of€womenŠ qĮ Šby€employers€in€relation€to€pregnancy€within€a€certain€period€after€the€commencement€ofŠ ZŖ Šemployment;€Š C“ ŠĢ(g)€€The€need€for€increased€assistance€to€family€members,€in€particular€women,€taking€care€of€theŠ e Šelderly;€Š žN ŠĢ(h)€€The€need€to€collect€more€detailed€information€on€the€situation€of€rural€women.€Š Š!   ŠĢ98.€€The€Committee€notes€with€great€satisfaction€the€existence€of€programmes€to€assist€women€withŠ ¢#ņ" Šspecial€needs.€Š ‹$Ū# ŠĢ99.€€The€Committee€is€pleased€to€be€informed€of€the€measures€implemented€to€eradicate€genderŠ ]&­!% Šstereotypes€within€the€education€system.€€It€is€also€pleased€with€the€introduction€of€measures€toŠ F'–"& Šintroduce€human€rights€education€into€schools.Š /(#' ŠĢ100.€€The€Committee€is€generally€impressed€by€the€health-care€system€in€Croatia€and€by€theŠ *Q%) ŠGovernment's€clear€commitment€to€universal€coverage.€Š ź*:&* ŠĢņņFactors€and€difficulties€affecting€the€implementation€of€the€ConventionóóŠ ¼, (, ŠŠ „-õ(- Š101.€€The€Committee€notes€that€Croatia€faced€significant€economic€and€social€difficulties€as€aŠ ° Šconsequence€of€the€country's€recent€involvement€in€armed€conflict.€€Repercussions€include€theŠ ™é Špresence€of€large€numbers€of€refugees€and€displaced€persons.€€The€Committee€also€notes€difficultiesŠ ‚Ņ Šresulting€from€the€transition€to€a€market€economy€and€a€democratic€political€structure.€€TheŠ k» ŠCommittee€observed€that€in€the€absence€of€gender-sensitive€policies€and€measures€to€counteractŠ T¤ Šnegative€effects,€these€changes€may€have€a€negative€effect€on€women's€enjoyment€of€their€humanŠ =  Šrights€and€impede€the€implementation€of€the€Convention.€Š & v ŠĢņņPrincipal€subjects€of€concernóóŠ ų H ŠĢ102.€€Despite€some€clarification€during€oral€responses€by€the€delegation,€the€Committee€remainsŠ Ź   Švery€concerned€about€the€view€expressed€in€the€State€party's€report€that€women€themselves€bear€fullŠ ³  Šresponsibility€for€their€low€level€of€participation€in€public€life.€€This€suggests€that€the€GovernmentŠ œģ  Šlacked€understanding€of€indirect€and€structural€discrimination€and€its€impact€on€women..€Š …Õ  ŠĢ103.€€The€Committee€is€particularly€concerned€about€the€consistent€emphasis€placed€on€women'sŠ W§  Šroles€as€mothers€and€caregivers€in€Croatian€legislation€pertaining€to€a€variety€of€areas.€€WhileŠ @ Šlegislative€provisions€protecting€maternity€are€important,€the€Committee€is€concerned€thatŠ )y Šprioritizing€that€aspect€of€women's€lives€reinforces€traditional€and€stereotypical€role€expectations,Š b Šwhich€tend€to€limit€women's€full€participation€in€society.€€The€Committee€comments€that€despite€theŠ ūK Šfact€that€women€in€Croatia€are€well-educated€and€participate€in€the€labour€force€in€large€numbers,Š ä4 Ša€careful€and€gender-sensitive€analysis€of€the€emphasis€on€motherhood€vis--vis€women's€roles€inŠ Ķ Šthe€public€sphere€is€needed€on€the€part€of€the€Government€to€assure€de€facto€gender€equality€in€theŠ ¶ ŠCroatian€society€of€the€future.€Š Ÿļ ŠĢ104.€€The€Committee€expresses€concern€that€data€has€not€been€collected€in€some€areas.€€In€particular,Š qĮ Šthe€Committee€is€concerned€that€minimal€attention€has€been€paid€to€the€issue€of€women€living€inŠ ZŖ Špoverty€and€that€no€sex-disaggregated€data€are€available€on€that€topic.€€It€is€also€concerned€that€noŠ C“ Šsex-disaggregated€data€have€been€collected€on€human€immunodeficiency€virus/acquired€immuneŠ ,| Šdeficiency€syndrome€(HIV/AIDS)€and€that€no€reliable€data€had€been€collected€on€teenage€pregnancy.€Š e ŠĢ105.€€The€Committee€expresses€concern€that€in€view€of€the€complex€ethnic€and€religiousŠ ē 7 Šcomposition€of€the€population€of€Croatia,€the€report€does€not€include€statistical€information€on€theŠ Š!   Šsocial,€economic€and€political€standing€of€minority€women.€Š ¹" ! ŠĢ106.€€The€Committee€is€disturbed€to€note€the€Government's€view€that€there€is€no€need€to€specifyŠ ‹$Ū# Šgender€inequality€every€time€the€issue€of€equality€is€raised.€€The€Committee€is€of€the€opinion€thatŠ t%Ä $ Šthis€might€contribute€to€the€concealment€and€perpetuation€of,€in€particular,€de€facto€inequality.€€ItŠ ]&­!% Špoints€out€that,€in€order€to€increase€the€visibility€of€gender€issues€and€to€promote€a€gender-sensitiveŠ F'–"& Šnational€agenda,€it€is€crucial€to€incorporate€gender€in€all€discussions€of€equality.€Š /(#' ŠĢ107.€€While€the€Committee€is€reassured€to€be€informed€that€acts€of€domestic€violence€are€prosecutedŠ *Q%) Šby€public€attorneys€at€the€request€of€the€victims,€it€expresses€concern€with€regard€to€the€adequacyŠ ź*:&* Šof€measures€to€encourage€women€to€come€forward€with€complaints€and€about€the€fact€thatŠ Ó+#'+ Šprosecution€by€public€attorneys€ex€officio€or€upon€the€complaint€of€third€parties€is€not€incorporatedŠ ¼, (, Šin€legislation€on€domestic€violence.€Š „-õ(- Š‡108.€€The€Committee€expresses€concern€that€there€is€evidence€that€church-related€organizationsŠ ° Šadversely€influence€the€Government's€policies€concerning€women€and€thereby€impede€fullŠ ™é Šimplementation€of€the€Convention.€Š ‚Ņ ŠĢ109.€€In€the€area€of€health,€the€Committee€is€particularly€concerned€that€services€pertaining€toŠ T¤ Šwomen's€reproductive€health€are€the€first€to€be€affected€as€a€result€of€the€Government's€financialŠ =  Šconstraints.€€It€is€also€concerned€about€information€regarding€the€refusal,€by€some€hospitals,€toŠ & v Šprovide€abortions€on€the€basis€of€conscientious€objection€of€doctors.€€The€Committee€considers€thisŠ  _ Što€be€an€infringement€of€women's€reproductive€rights.€Š ų H ŠĢņņSuggestions€and€recommendationsóóŠ Ź   ŠĢ110.€€The€Committee€recommends€that€the€Government€of€Croatia€continue€to€implement€andŠ œģ  Šstrengthen€the€measures€it€is€taking€to€empower€women€and€to€mainstream€gender€issues.€€ItŠ …Õ  Šencourages€specific€affirmative€actions€targeted€to€numerical€goals€and€quotas,€in€particular€in€thoseŠ n¾  Šareas€such€as€political€and€decision-making€positions€in€public€life€where€women's€de€facto€equalityŠ W§  Šhas€not€been€improving€at€the€desired€pace.€Š @ ŠĢ111.€€The€Committee€urges€the€Government€of€Croatia€to€adhere€to€its€oral€statement€of€intentionŠ b Što€give€further€consideration€to€the€issues€outlined€in€paragraph€97€above€with€a€view€to€undertakingŠ ūK Šmeasures€in€response€to€the€concerns€of€the€Committee.€Š ä4 ŠĢ112.€€The€Committee€urges€the€Government€of€Croatia€to€take€further€measures€to€promoteŠ ¶ Šrecognition€of€the€variety€of€roles€that€women€play€in€society.€€To€that€end,€it€suggests€that€it€isŠ Ÿļ Šcrucial€to€educate€the€Croatian€public€with€regard€to€the€importance€of€an€equitable€distributionŠ ˆŲ Šbetween€women€and€men€of€family€roles€and€"caring€responsibilities".€Š qĮ ŠĢ113.€€The€Committee€recommends€that€the€Government€take€advantage€of€existing€bodies€ofŠ C“ Šknowledge€relating€to€indirect€and€structural€patterns€of€discrimination.€€It€emphasizes€that€theŠ ,| ŠGovernment,€rather€than€women€themselves,€have€primary€responsibility€for€implementing€strategiesŠ e Što€eliminate€these€forms€of€discrimination.€Š žN ŠĢ114.€€The€Committee€requests€that€the€Government€of€Croatia€include€more€detailed€information€onŠ Š!   Šthe€implementation€of€the€provisions€of€article€6€of€the€Convention€in€future€reports.€€The€CommitteeŠ ¹" ! Šrequests€that€additional€data€be€collected€on€the€status€of€women€involved€in€prostitution.€€TheŠ ¢#ņ" ŠCommittee€would€also€appreciate€more€detailed€information€on€the€problem€of€trafficking€in€women,Š ‹$Ū# Šin€particular€migrant€women,€and€the€measures€taken€to€implement€legislation€in€this€area.Š t%Ä $ ŠĢ115.€€The€Committee€recommends€that€the€Government€of€Croatia€collect€and€make€availableŠ F'–"& Šstatistical€information€pertaining€to€the€social,€economic€and€political€status€of€minority€women€withŠ /(#' Ša€view€to€developing€specific€policies€to€respond€to€the€needs€of€different€groups.€Š )h$( ŠĢ116.€€The€Committee€requests€that€more€information€be€provided€about€the€situation€of€women€withŠ ź*:&* Šdisabilities€in€future€reports.€Š Ó+#'+ ŠĢ117.€€The€Committee€strongly€recommends€that€the€Government€take€steps€to€secure€the€enjoymentŠ „-õ(- Šby€women€of€their€reproductive€rights€by,€ņņinter€aliaóó,€guaranteeing€them€access€to€abortion€servicesŠ ° Šin€public€hospitals.€€It€is€suggested€that€the€Government€examine€fully€the€implications€for€women,Š ™é Šin€particular,€of€funding€cuts€for€contraceptives€and€that€it€implement€strategies€to€address€anyŠ ‚Ņ Šdetrimental€impact€on€women.€Š k» ŠĢ118.€€The€Committee€urges€the€Government€of€Croatia€to€take€the€necessary€steps€to€incorporate€theŠ =  Šparticipation€of€non-governmental€organizations€in€the€preparation€of€the€country's€next€report€toŠ & v Šthe€Committee.€Š  _ ŠĢ119.€€The€Committee€requests€wide€dissemination€in€Croatia€of€the€present€concluding€commentsŠ į 1  Šin€order€to€make€the€people€of€Croatia,€and€particularly€government€administrators€and€politicians,Š Ź   Šaware€of€the€steps€that€have€been€taken€to€ensure€de€facto€equality€for€women€and€the€further€stepsŠ ³  Šrequired€in€this€regard.€€It€also€requests€the€Government€to€continue€to€disseminate€widely,€and€inŠ œģ  Šparticular€to€women's€and€human€rights€organizations,€the€Convention,€the€Committee's€generalŠ …Õ  Šrecommendations€and€the€Beijing€Declaration€and€Platform€for€Action.€