Croatian Sabor Adopted Anti-Discrimination Law

10 July 2008

With a huge majority, only one vote against and one abstaining vote, the Croatian Sabor (the Parliament) adopted the Law on Prevention of Discrimination that was the target of strong dissent and protests by the Catholic Church and other religious communities in Croatia, as well as some conservative NGOs.

The ruling HDZ didn`t give to demands to delete the provisions on equality of citizens regardless of their sex, sexual preferences and gender identity. Furthermore, under Government`s pressure, HDZ itself was forced to pull out an amendment to that effect.

On the eve of the vote, representatives of religious communities in Croatia signed a joint statement demanding from the Government to start a public debate on the issue and to adopt, transparently, legislation that would `respect and protect the system of values on which Croatian society rests`.

The statement was signed by the highest dignitaries of Catholic Church, Serb Orthodox Church, Islamic Community, Evangelists, Reformed Calvinists, and the Union of Baptist Churches in Croatia.

The Sabor adopted the amendment proposed by the Government guaranteeing all organizations, including the Catholic Church, to freely promote and advocate their doctrines, meaning that the Church won`t be accused of discrimination for promoting the view that a marriage is a union of one man and one woman.