Author
According to the LITP, vulnerable groups include persons without legal capacity, children, unaccompanied children, elderly and infirm persons, seriously ill persons, disabled persons, pregnant women, single parents with minor children, persons with mental disorders and victims of trafficking, as well as victims of torture, rape or other forms of psychological, physical and sexual violence, such as victims of female genital mutilation.[1]
Screening of vulnerability
The LITP has introduced special procedural and reception guarantees.[2] It specifies that appropriate support must be provided to applicants in relation to their personal circumstances, amongst other things their age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, serious illness, mental health, or as a consequence of torture, rape or other serious forms of psychological, physical or sexual violence, for the purpose of exercising the rights and obligations from the LITP. The procedure of recognising the personal circumstances of applicants shall be conducted continuously by specially trained police officers, employees of the Ministry of Interior and other competent bodies, from the moment of the expression of intention to apply for international protection until the delivery of the decision on the application.
There is no further detailed guidance available in the law, nor an early identification mechanism in the form of internal guidance, according to the knowledge of Croatian Law Centre.
Early identification is conducted by the police officers in accordance with the Article 15 LITP at the moment of the expression of the intention to apply for international protection. Police then accordingly inform the Reception Centre for Applicants for International Protection and further identification during the procedure for international protection is done by social workers of the Reception Centre as well as employees of NGOs with which the Ministry has cooperation agreements and who come into first contact with applicants when they arrive in the centres.[3]
According to the Ministry of the Interior, in 2024, there were 1,980 unaccompanied asylum-seeking children in Croatia.[4] However, data on other members of vulnerable groups are not made publicly available by the Ministry of the Interior.
In the Ombudsperson’s for Children 2024 report it is highligted that the issue of the lack of centralized data collection on unaccompanied children persists [5]. Data under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of the Interior and the social welfare system are neither unified nor comparable. Furthermore, although there is an exchange of information between ministries and service providers, the data differ both within and between sectors. The establishment of a central database would allow for accurate insight into the number of unaccompanied children present in the country, their accommodation and legal status, as well as data on their inclusion in education and the assignment of guardians. Organisations working with children have pointed to the absence of a unified system for collecting data on unaccompanied minors. The need to interconnect various data systems has also been recommended to Croatia by the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child in its concluding observations on the fifth and sixth periodic reports on the state of children’s rights.[6]
Furthermore, the Ombudswoman for Children stated that in 2024, 1,980 children requested international protection. Unaccompanied children most often do not wait for a decision on their application for international protection, mainly because Croatia is a transit point on their journey.
International protection was granted to 41 children, one of whom was an unaccompanied child. Regardless of the year in which the application was submitted, in 2024 the Ministry of the Interior issued 718 decisions for unaccompanied children, most of which (704) were a suspension, 10 applications were dissmissed, and three were rejected. The reasons for the suspension of the procedures in the majority of cases was a failure to respond to the invitation to a interview. Two lawsuits were filed against the decisions of the Ministry of the Interior.[7]
In April 2021, a Standard Operational Procedure (SOP) in Cases of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) in the Reception Centres for Applicants of International Protection entered into force. The SOP was developed in cooperation with the Ministry of Interior, UNHCR, IOM, MDM-BELGIQUE, the Croatian Red Cross and the Croatian Law Centre. SOP contain procedures, roles, and responsibilities of service providers involved in the prevention and response to SGBV in the reception centres.
Regular meetings of involved organisations and the Ministry of Interior are held each year to discuss current trends, statistical data, actions taken to strengthen prevention of further violence and ensure adequate support for victims, actions that will be taken in coming period, annual reports on SGBV, the method of data collection and their purpose, etc.
In 2024, the Coordination Group for Sexual and Gender-Based Violence held four meetings, co-convened by the Ministry of the Interior and UNHCR, in order to strengthen prevention of, and response to, GBV. Participants responded to reports of GBV, including sexual harassment, through targeted actions and preventative campaigns.[8]
MDM-BELGIQUE reported that compared to previous years, in 2024 a decrease in cases of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) was recorded with 63 cases (compared to 106 in 2023). MDM-BELGIQUE provided appropriate psychological support, psychiatric treatment, and further referrals for all survivors of violence, in collaboration with relevant service providers.[9]
The Ombudsperson for Gender Equality has reported that the Ministry of Interior keeps records of vulnerable groups of applicants seeking international protection. According to data provided by the Ministry of the Interior, in 2024 a total of 40 women and 25 men accommodated in the Reception Centres for Applicants for International Protection in Zagreb and Kutina reported being victims of gender-based violence. The MoI’s records indicate that these individuals were subjected to multiple forms of violence. Specifically, 19 female applicants and 2 male applicants reported having experienced sexual violence; 19 female applicants and 16 male applicants were exposed to physical violence; and 31 female applicants and 19 male applicants were subjected to psychological violence. Furthermore, 5 female applicants and 1 male applicant were identified as having been exposed to harmful traditional practices, while 1 female applicant reported experiencing socio-economic violence. Additionally, 13 male applicants for international protection were identified as victims of torture in their country of origin, and 9 male applicants reported being subjected to physical violence. All identified persons who had survived some form of violence were referred to organisations that provide support in the Reception Centres (i.e., to the Croatian Red Cross and Médecins du Monde).[10]
According to the MoI’s data, in 2024, asylum was granted to three women victims of human trafficking and 8 women victims of gender-based violence.[11]
In 2024, within the framework of a project funded by UNHCR and in cooperation with the Agency for Education and Training, the Croatian Red Cross conducted an online training session on the topic of gender-based violence prevention among migrants and refugees. The training was attended by 243 professional associates from primary and secondary schools across the Republic of Croatia.[12]
In September 2023, the Council of Europe Expert Group on Action against Violence against Women and Domestic Violence (GREVIO) published its baseline evaluation report on Croatia.[13] GREVIO is concerned that gender-based violence-related claims to international protection are either not being recorded in the system or identified during the refugee status determination process. In its report, GREVIO commended the SOP but also stated that although there is a useful standardised form for reporting incidents of sexual and gender-based violence, staff in Reception Centre have a requirement to report any instance of violence irrespective of whether the woman gives her consent and women are not informed of this requirement until the end of the process. According to GREVIO, to empower women, they should be informed at the outset of the interview that there is a legal requirement on the interviewer to pass on information. This would enable the victims to make an informed decision on whether to continue with the interview. It would also be more effective if the protocol was applied to all asylum-seeking women and migrants at the borders and elsewhere, not just those in accommodation centres.[14]
In 2022, the Governmental Office for Gender Equality, in cooperation with the Ministry of Interior and UNHCR, published a leaflet intended to inform victims of gender-based violence about available protection options and services. The leaflet is intended primarily for female migrants, refugees and applicants for international protection, although it acknowledges that gender-based violence can be committed against men. It is available in 8 languages (Arabic, Croatian, English, Farsi, French, Kurdish, Turkish and Urdu).[15]
In addition, in accordance with the Protocol on identification, assistance and protection of victims of human trafficking, identification of victims of human trafficking is carried out by the Ministry of Interior (MoI) in cooperation with the Croatian Red Cross and civil society organisations. If the victim is a child, the MoI will cooperate in the identification procedure with the ministry responsible for social welfare affairs and civil society organisations.[16]
This is prescribed by the Law on Foreigners which states that a temporary stay on humanitarian grounds shall be granted to a third-country national if, as a victim of trafficking in human beings a person has accepted a programme of assistance and protection.[17] The identification of the victim is carried out by the Ministry of the Interior in cooperation with civil society organizations. In cases involving a child who is a victim of trafficking in human beings, the Ministry of the Interior is also obliged to cooperate with the ministry responsible for social welfare.The programme of assistance and protection includes healthcare and psychosocial support, safe accommodation, translation and interpreting services, legal aid, and safe return to the country of origin.[18] A third-country national identified as a victim of trafficking has the right to decide on participation in the programme of assistance and protection within 60 days.[19]
The guardian of a child who has been identified as a victim of trafficking in human beings has the right, with the consent of the locally competent branch office of the Croatian Social Welfare Institute, to decide on participation in the programme of assistance and protection within 90 days, taking into account the best interests of the child and considering the child’s opinion.[20]
A delegation of the Council of Europe’s Group of Experts on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings (GRETA) carried out an evaluation visit to Croatia on 3-7 June 2024, as part of the fourth evaluation round of the Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings. The visit, amongst others, provided an opportunity to visit a shelter for adult victims of human trafficking, as well as the reception centre for applicants for international protection in Zagreb.[21]
The 2025 GRETA report,[22] which followed after the visit, covers the period 2020-2024 and evaluates the measures taken by Croatia to prevent vulnerabilities to trafficking in human beings, detect and support vulnerable victims, and punish the offenders. The report highlighted a concern about the lack of screening for vulnerabilities and trafficking indicators at the border and at the Dugi Dol registration centre, where applicants for international protection express their intent to seek international protection. However, as stated in the report, many applicants for international protection, including potential trafficking victims, continue their journey to other EU countries without further contact with the authorities. Reports indicate that some applicants for international protection have been asked to sign declarations of voluntary return and/or to suspension of the procedure for granting international protection. GRETA highlighted the need for enhanced training for the border police and the staff of the Dugi Dol registration centre on identifying vulnerabilities and signs of trafficking.
While recognising the challenges of Croatia mainly being a transit country for migrants including applicants for international protection, GRETA urges the Croatian authorities to take measures to prevent applicants for international protection from becoming victims of trafficking, in particular by:
- putting in place procedures for screening of applicants for international protection for vulnerabilities throughout the country, including at border crossing points;
- providing training on trafficking in human beings to border and local police officers, as well as other relevant officials, with a focus on vulnerabilities that lead to trafficking in human beings and on early detection of cases of THB among applicants for international protection.
- Further, GRETA considers that the Croatian authorities should systematically provide information to applicants for international protection, in a language they can understand, about the risks of trafficking in human beings as well as their rights as applicants for international protection and as victims of trafficking in human beings, and how to contact NGOs specialised in trafficking in human beings which do not have access to the reception centres for applicants for international protection and obtain assistance.
The Centre for Peace Studies (CPS) reported that, in 2023, they observed deficiencies in the identification of applicants for international protection as victims of human trafficking despite the existence of statements, documentation and other evidence that point to the existence of said criminal act. The CPS also reported that the system of identifying vulnerable groups within the Reception Centre for Applicants for International Protection, and especially in the Reception Centres for foreigners, is not adequate.[23] The problems regarding identification were also highlighted in 2024. The CPS further indicated that access to justice within the Reception Centres for Applicants for International Protection is at times delayed or obstructed, both due to a lack of information among applicants regarding the procedures for reporting criminal offences and misdemeanours, but also because of the reporting system within the Reception Centre. Applicants who are victims or potential victims of criminal offences are often not informed about the procedures for reporting such offences, nor about their rights as victims. Therefore, CPS recommendes that clear public guidelines be made available to applicants on how to report criminal or misdemeanour offences committed in Croatia. It is also essential to ensure the protection and, in certain cases, the anonymity of victims —particularly in cases involving trafficking in human beings, hate crimes, sexual or domestic violence, and other particularly vulnerable groups of applicants.[24]
This issue was also raised by the UN Human Rights Committee in their latest conclusions on Croatia.[25] In particular, the UN Human Rights Committee recommended that ‘the State party should strengthen its efforts to systematically identify, prevent and combat trafficking in persons, especially of those at heightened risk, such as children, in particular unaccompanied and separated children, members of the Roma minority, migrants, refugees and applicants for international protection. The State party should in particular:
(a) Enhance the screening of groups at heightened risk of trafficking in persons and the identification of potential victims, including through the systematic provision of training for border control personnel and staff working in facilities for applicants for international protection and refugees;
(b) Ensure that all cases of trafficking in persons are investigated thoroughly, that perpetrators, if convicted, receive adequate and deterrent punishment and that victims are informed, in a language that they understand, about and have access to effective remedies and assistance, including receiving compensation in criminal proceedings and rehabilitation and reintegration support services;
(c) Continue and expand training for lawyers, prosecutors and judges on trafficking in persons, victim’s rights and victim-centred approaches;
(d) Continue and expand the implementation of awareness-raising campaigns on trafficking in persons for the general public, as well as targeted campaigns, such as for the tourism and business sectors.’
In 2024, MDM-BELGIQUE continued to provide multidisciplinary and linguistically adapted care to applicants for international protection – especially in identifying and supporting the most vulnerable among them (i.e., women, children, minors, LGBTQ+ individuals, survivors of gender-based violence, human trafficking or torture, persons with disabilities, children with developmental difficulties and their families, single parents, etc.) in the Reception Centers for Applicants for International Protection in Croatia.[26]
The Croatian Red Cross (CRC) provides psychosocial and practical support and assistance to applicants for international protection in Reception Centres for Applicants for International Protection, based on the identified needs of individuals and families. CRC identifies vulnerable groups (i.e., children, unaccompanied minors, elderly persons, single women, persons with physical or mental health difficulties, individuals who have experienced trauma or torture, potential victims of trafficking in human beings, and victims of domestic violence) and plans work tailored to their specific needs. The greatest challenge in working with vulnerable applicants in 2024, as reported by CRC, was the exceptionally high influx of people who stayed in the reception centres for only a short period of time. This significantly hindered the identification of vulnerabilities and specific needs in non-obvious cases (e.g., persons with disabilities, women in advanced stages of pregnancy, single parents with children, etc.). During initial and individual interviews, the following were identified as particularly vulnerable groups: unaccompanied minors; parents with children who had been temporarily separated from the rest of their family; single parents and their children; persons with severe mental health difficulties (such as acute psychotic episodes, suicide attempts, etc.); persons with serious physical health conditions (e.g., cerebral palsy, limb amputations); pregnant women; survivors of torture; survivors of gender-based violence; single women; individuals with substance abuse problems; and those who had recently experienced traumatic events. Unaccompanied minors who arrived at the reception centres were provided with appropriate support, including accommodation in rooms with other minors. Through initial interviews, they regularly received all necessary information regarding family reunification, with the support of the CRC, and were referred to assistance and access to social rights and services such as healthcare, education, social welfare, and legal aid.[27]
In 2024, Are You Syrious reported that a great need for more systematic, sustainable and better psychosocial support for children had been observed. In particular, they noted that accumulated stress that these children experience and a great risk for development mental health difficulties require greater activation of the system in terms of protection of their mental health.[28]
During 2024, a total of 498 persons to whom special guarantees applied were accommodated outside the Reception Centres for Applicants for International Protection.[29]
In her 2024 report, the Ombudswoman for Children states that, according to data from the Ministry of the Interior for 2024, 1,455 unaccompanied children were accommodated in Reception Centres for applicants for international protection, and 487 in social welfare institutions. This is a significant increase compared to 2023, when 1,113 unaccompanied children were placed in Reception Centres and 374 in social welfare institutions.[30]
Unaccompanied children
The Government adopted a Protocol on the treatment of unaccompanied children on 30 August 2018.[31] The protocol aims to improve the position of unaccompanied children, provides a detailed overview of all procedures and provides guidance for all relevant actors coming in contact and working with this category of children. The Protocol elaborates in 14 chapters on the various issues faced by unaccompanied children.
According to the Ministry of Interior, an Interdepartmental Commission for the protection of unaccompanied children has been established. The Commission was established with the aim to improve inter-agency cooperation between state administration bodies and other stakeholders involved in the protection of unaccompanied children. The Commission is composed of representatives of the Ministry of Labour, Pension System, Family and Social Policy, the Ministry of the Interior, the Ministry of Science and Education, the Ministry of Health, the Office for Human Rights and Rights of National Minorities and international organisations dealing with the protection of the rights of the child or refugee rights and, institutions and civil society organisations engaged in humanitarian work, i.e., protection of children’s rights.
In 2024, the Croatian government started to revise the Protocol for unaccompanied children in light of the Pact on Migration and Asylum.[32]
In 2023, the implementing partner of the UNICEF Office for Croatia, Centre for Psychological Counselling, Education and Research- Sirius, printed posters and leaflets promoting the foster care of unaccompanied children. The poster and leaflets are in Croatian.[33]
A new[34] Interdepartmental Commission for the Protection of Unaccompanied Children was established by a decision of the Government of the Republic of Croatia on 5 January 2022.[35] The decision states that the goal of the Commission is to improve the interdepartmental cooperation of competent authorities and other stakeholders involved in the protection of unaccompanied children.
In 2022, the Croatian Government adopted a Decision on the appointment of a representatives of the Interdepartmental Commission for the Protection of Unaccompanied Children,[36] in accordance with the Protocol on the Treatment of Unaccompanied Children.
According to the Ombudswoman for Children, the Commission did not meet in 2024.[37]
According to the report of the Ombudswoman for Children, in 2024, 1,980 children expressed intention to apply for international protection. Unaccompanied children most often do not wait for a decision on their application for international protection to be issued, mainly because Croatia is a transit point on their journey.
The UNICEF Office for Croatia highlighted that cases continue to be reported of unaccompanied children found on the territory of Croatia who present themselves as adults, which results in their placement in the Reception Centers for applicants for international protection or the Reception Centers for Foreigners or Transit Reception Centers for foreigners in Tovarnik and Trilj. In addition to inadequate accommodation, an unaccompanied child presenting as an adult is not appointed a special guardian and remains unrecognised in the social welfare system. This puts unaccompanied children at risk and it is difficult to respond to their specific needs and exercise their rights. The UNICEF office for Croatia also reported that the monitoring of data on unaccompanied children in the Republic of Croatia continues to be a problem. Although the relevant ministries, primarily the Ministry of Interior and the Ministry of Labour, Pension System, Family and Social Policy, consistently maintain data on unaccompanied children through well-developed information systems, the data between State bodies are neither comparable nor harmonised primarily due to the absence of a unique identifier for unaccompanied children who have not been assigned a Personal Identification Number (OIB).[38]
In 2023, the National Action Plan (NAP) to implement the EU Council Recommendation on establishing a European Child Guarantee[39] was adopted.[40] The aim is to enable access to services for children at greatest risk of poverty and social exclusion in Croatia, and therefore children in need are in the focus of this NAP. The NAP is a comprehensive national document that forms the basis for the implementation of measures and activities in key areas of intervention arising from needs and development potentials related to combating child poverty and social exclusion, with an emphasis on cross-sectoral cooperation and joint action.
Six general objectives were defined in NAP: 1. Improved access to early childhood education and care; 2. Ensured access to education and support for children at risk of poverty and social exclusion; 3. Ensured access to quality meal nutrition for children at risk of poverty and social exclusion; 4. Ensured access to health services for children at risk of poverty and social exclusion; 5. Ensured access to adequate housing for children at risk of poverty and social exclusion; and 6. Improved accessibility of social services in the community to children at risk of poverty and social exclusion.
Children with a migrant background (unaccompanied children, children seeking international protection, applicants for international protection, foreigners under subsidiary and temporary protection who are under the age of 18) have been identified as children in need.
For information about the reception of unaccompanied children, see dedicated section Reception of unaccompanied children.
Victims of sexual and gender-based violence
In April 2021, a Standard Operational Procedure (SOP) in Cases of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) in the Reception Centres for Applicants of International Protection entered into force. The SOP was developed in cooperation with the Ministry of Interior, UNHCR, IOM, MDM-BELGIQUE, the Croatian Red Cross and the Croatian Law Centre. SOP contain procedures, roles, and responsibilities of service providers involved in the prevention and response to SGBV in the reception centres.
Since 2021, a standardised application form applies in the Reception Centres for reporting cases of sexual and gender-based violence as part of SOP.[41]
In 2022, UNHCR Croatia carried out capacity-building activities with key stakeholders dealing with refugees, more specifically through trainings on gender-based violence, protection from sexual exploitation and abuse (PSEA), the fight against human trafficking and communication with communities. The activities involved state and non-governmental employees, members of the Coordination group for sexual and gender-based violence, operators of the 112-emergency telephone line and the newly established telephone line run by UNHCR and partner Croatian Law Centre specifically for Ukrainian refugees. In addition to the above, numerous informative materials on the mentioned areas were created and their distribution ensured. Furthermore, UNHCR and the Council of Europe (CoE) organised an online event on the topic ‘Preventing, combating and responding to gender-based violence in the context of asylum and migration’, which gathered experts and key stakeholders of the system who encounter gender-based violence issues in their work.[42]
In 2022, the Governmental Office for Gender Equality, in cooperation with the Ministry of Interior and UNHCR, published a leaflet intended to inform victims of gender-based violence about available protection options and services. The leaflet is intended primarily for female migrants, refugees and applicants for international protection, although it acknowledges that gender-based violence can be committed against men, and is available in eight languages (Arabic, Croatian, English, Farsi, French, Kurdish, Turkish and Urdu).[43]
Officials of the Service for the reception and accommodation of applicants for international protection systematically monitor the needs of persons who have survived some form of violence and continuously improve their skills through education (identification of vulnerable groups, gender-based violence, etc.) They also exchange experiences at meetings of the Coordination Group for sexual and gender-based violence, and if necessary cooperate with the professional staff of the Croatian Institute for Social Work and keep records on the number, type of violence and specific characteristics of persons who have survived some kind of violence.[44]
The Ombudsperson for Gender Equality reported that, according to data provided by the Ministry of the Interior, in 2024 a total of 40 women and 25 men accommodated in the Reception Centres for Applicants for International Protection in Zagreb and Kutina reported being victims of gender-based violence. The MoI’s records indicate that these individuals were subjected to multiple forms of violence. Specifically, 19 female applicants and 2 male applicants reported having experienced sexual violence; 19 female applicants and 16 male applicants were exposed to physical violence; and 31 female applicants and 19 male applicants were subjected to psychological violence. Furthermore, 5 female applicants and 1 male applicant were identified as having been exposed to harmful traditional practices, while 1 female applicant reported experiencing socio-economic violence. Additionally, 13 male applicants for international protection were identified as victims of torture in their country of origin, and 9 male applicants reported having been subjected to physical violence. All identified persons who survived some form of violence were referred to organisations that provide support in the Reception Centres (i.e., to the Croatian Red Cross and Médecins du Monde).[45]
Victims of trauma and mental health issues
In May 2023, MdM issued its publication “Physical and mental health of applicants for international protection in the Republic of Croatia – new trends, observations, challenges and recommendations”, developed with support of the European Union’s Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (‘AMIF’) and the Government of Croatia (Ministry of Health).[46]
In 2024, the Rehabilitation Centre for Stress and Trauma (RCT) provided direct assistance to victims of torture who experienced torture in their countries of origin.[47]
Age assessment of unaccompanied children
The LITP foresees the possibility of an age assessment procedure if, during the procedure for international protection, doubt arises regarding the age of an unaccompanied child.[48] The assessment of the child’s age shall be conducted on the basis of the information available on the child, including the expert opinions of persons involved in work with the child. If the information available is insufficient, a medical examination shall be conducted, with the prior written consent of the child and the guardian. The medical examination shall be conducted by means of a physical examination, X-ray of the teeth and/or hands, with full respect for the dignity of the unaccompanied child. An unaccompanied child shall be informed in writing in a language which they may justifiably be presumed to understand and in which they are able to communicate about the manner of examination and its possible consequences for their health, the consequences of the results of the medical examination for their application, as well as the consequences of unjustified refusal. In the case of unjustified refusal of consent, the unaccompanied child shall be deemed to be an adult applicant. The application cannot be refused exclusively on the basis of the fact that consent to perform a medical examination was not given. During the medical examination, an unaccompanied child who does not understand Croatian shall be provided with a translator/interpreter for a language which they may justifiably be presumed to understand and in which they are able to communicate. The costs of the medical examination shall be borne by the Ministry. If, even following the results and report on the medical examination undertaken, there is still doubt regarding the age of the minor, the concept of benefit of the doubt shall be applied.
The LITP does not foresee the possibility to appeal against the outcome of age assessments. The Ministry of Interior has stressed that in case of doubt in the opinion of the doctor, new medical examinations would be initiated. The Ministry also emphasises that in such case, the concept of benefit of the doubt in favour of the minor shall be applied.[49]
In 2023, the Ministry of Interior decided to initiate the age assessment procedure for two children and two procedures of medical expertise were conducted and concluded that the applicants were adults.[50] No information is available for 2024.
In her 2024 report, the Ombudswoman for Children highlighted the age assessment of unaccompanied children as a particular challenge, due to the lack of documentation.[51] Cases continue to be reported in which unaccompanied children present themselves as adults, leading to their placement in reception centres for applicants for international protection or to reception centres for foreigners that are unsuitable for their age, thereby exposing them to increased risks. If police officers do not express doubt about the age of a child found while crossing the border, the individual is treated as an adult, no guardian is appointed, and the social welfare system responsible for their protection is not engaged.[52]
[1] Article 4(1)(14) LITP.
[2] Article 15 LITP.
[3] ECRE, Balkan route reversed, December 2016, p. 26, available at: https://bit.ly/3mWZAyE.
[4] Ministry of Interior, Statistics 2024, available at: https://mup.gov.hr/UserDocsImages/statistika/2025/1/Statistika%20medjunarodna%20zastita%202024.xlsx.
[5] This does not apply only to unaccompanied children who are applicants for international protection.
[6] Ombudswoman for Children: Report on the work of the Ombudswoman for Children in 2024, page 204, available at: https://dijete.hr/hr/download/izvjesce-o-radu-pravobraniteljice-za-djecu-za-2024-godinu/.
[7] Ombudswoman for Children: Report on the work of the Ombudswoman for Children in 2024, page 199, available at: https://dijete.hr/hr/download/izvjesce-o-radu-pravobraniteljice-za-djecu-za-2024-godinu/.
[8] Information provided by the UNHCR Office for Croatia, 18 March 2025.
[9] Information provided by MDM-BELGIQUE, 17 February 2025.
[10] Ombudswoman for Gender Equality, Report of the Ombudswoman for Gender Equality for 2024, page 262, available at: https://www.prs.hr/application/uploads/Izvjes%CC%8Cc%CC%81e_2024_CJELOVITO_FINAL_.pdf.
[11] Ombudswoman for Gender Equality, Report of the Ombudswoman for Gender Equality for 2024, page 260, available at: https://www.prs.hr/application/uploads/Izvjes%CC%8Cc%CC%81e_2024_CJELOVITO_FINAL_.pdf.
[12] Croatian Red Cross: Annual report on the work of the Croatian Red Cross in 2024, page 87, available at: https://www.hck.hr/UserDocsImages/vijesti/2025/AD%205)%20Izvje%C5%A1%C4%87e%20o%20radu%20HCK%20u%202024.pdf?vel=5096156.
[13] GREVIO: (Baseline) Evaluation Report on legislative and other measures giving effect to the provisions of the Council of Europe Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence against Women and Domestic Violence (Istanbul Convention)-CROATIA; available at: https://bit.ly/4bdxB10, 79.
[14] GREVIO: (Baseline) Evaluation Report on legislative and other measures giving effect to the provisions of the Council of Europe Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence against Women and Domestic Violence (Istanbul Convention)-CROATIA; available at: https://bit.ly/4bdxB10.
[15] Office for Gender Equality, The Office for Gender Equality published a leaflet for female migrants, refugees and asylum seekers, available in Croatian at: https://bit.ly/3FNHzte.
[16] Protocol on identification, assistance and protection of victims of human trafficking, available in Croatian at: https://bit.ly/3KQbMdk.
[17] Article 79 (1) (1), Law on Foreigners.
[18] Article 80 (1)- (2), Law on Foreigners
[19] Article 81 (1), Law on Foreigners
[20] Article 81 (2), Law on Foreigners
[21] Council of Europe: GRETA carries out fourth evaluation visit to Croatia, available at: https://www.coe.int/en/web/anti-human-trafficking/-/greta-carries-out-fourth-evaluation-visit-of-croatia.
[22] GRETA: Evaluation report Croatia, 19 June 2025, available at: https://rm.coe.int/greta-evaluation-report-on-the-implementation-of-the-council-of-europe/1680b66807.
[23] Information provided by Centre for Peace Studies, 30 January 2024.
[24] Information provided by Centre for Peace Studies, 27 February 2025.
[25] UN Human Rights Committee: Concluding observations on the fourth periodic report of Croatia, 11 September 2024, available at: https://tbinternet.ohchr.org/_layouts/15/treatybodyexternal/Download.aspx?symbolno=CCPR%2FC%2FHRV%2FCO%2F4&Lang=en.
[26] Information provided by MDM-BELGIQUE, 17 February 2025.
[27] Information provided by Croatian Red Cross, 20 January 2025.
[28] Information provided by Are You Syrious, 15 January 2025.
[29] Croatian Law Centre: The Croatian Asylum System in 2024- National Report; available at: https://www.hpc.hr/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/National-Asylum-Report-2024_CLC.pdf.
[30] Ombudswoman for Children: Report on the work of the Ombudswoman for Children in 2024, available at: https://dijete.hr/hr/download/izvjesce-o-radu-pravobraniteljice-za-djecu-za-2024-godinu/.
[31] Protocol on the treatment of unaccompanied children, 30 August 2018, available in Croatian at: https://bit.ly/2DEgBEu.
[32] EUAA: National Asylum Developments 2025, page 22, available at: https://euaa.europa.eu/sites/default/files/publications/2025-06/2025_National_Asylum_Developments_EN.pdf.
[33] Information provided by UNICEF, 4 February 2024.
[34] The first Interdepartmental Commission for the protection of unaccompanied children was established in 2018.
[35] Government of the Republic of Croatia, Decision on the establishment of the Interdepartmental Commission for the Protection of Unaccompanied Children, available in Official Gazette 3/2022 in Croatian at: https://bit.ly/4eowL4h.
[36] Decision on the appointment of the president, deputy president, secretary, members and deputy members of the Interdepartmental Commission for the Protection of Unaccompanied Children, Official Gazette 52/2022, available at: http://bit.ly/3K4rMIX.
[37] Ombudswoman for Children: Report on the work of the Ombudswoman for Children in 2024, page 205, available at: https://dijete.hr/hr/download/izvjesce-o-radu-pravobraniteljice-za-djecu-za-2024-godinu/.
[38] Information provided by UNICEF, 4 February 2024.
[39] National Action Plan to implement the EU Council Recommendation on establishing a European Child Guarantee, available in Croatian: https://bit.ly/3VMMMtC and in English: https://bit.ly/3XtoIx3.
[40] Decision on the adoption of the National Action Plan for the implementation of the recommendation of the Council of the European Union on the establishment of a European Child guarantee, Official Gazette 87/2023, available in Croatian at: https://bit.ly/4esATQH.
[41] Ombudsperson for Gender Equality, Report of the Ombudsperson for Gender Equality for 2023, available in Croatian at: https://bit.ly/4cnY4Kn, 242.
[42] Croatian Law Centre, The Croatian Asylum System in 2022 – National Report. The report was prepared as part of the project “Legal Assistance and Capacity Building for Access to Territory and Asylum in Croatia“, with financial support of the UNHCR Croatia: available in English at: https://bit.ly/434T7RL.
[43] Office for Gender Equality: The Office for Gender Equality published a leaflet for female migrants, refugees and asylum seekers, available in Croatian at: http://bit.ly/3FNHzte.
[44] Ombudsperson for Gender Equality, Report of the Ombudsperson for Gender Equality for 2023, available in Croatian at: https://bit.ly/4cnY4Kn, 242.
[45] Ombudswoman for Gender Equality, Report of the Ombudswoman for Gender Equality for 2024, page 262, available at: https://www.prs.hr/application/uploads/Izvjes%CC%8Cc%CC%81e_2024_CJELOVITO_FINAL_.pdf.
[46] MdM Publication Physical and mental health of applicants for international protection in the Republic of Croatia – new trends, observations, challenges and recommendations available in Croatian at: https://bit.ly/42ZH8F2 and in English at: https://bit.ly/43QN988.
[47] Rehabilitation Centre for Stress and Trauma: Annual Report for 2024, February 2025, available at: https://rctzg.hr/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Godisnji-izvjestaj-o-radu-za-2024.godinu.pdf.
[48] Article 18 LITP.
[49] Information provided by the Ministry of Interior, 2 March 2017.
[50] Information provided by the Ministry of Interior, 8 March 2024.
[51] This does not apply only to unaccompanied minors who are applicants for international protection.
[52] Ombudswoman for Children: Report on the work of the Ombudswoman for Children in 2024, page 205, available at: https://dijete.hr/hr/download/izvjesce-o-radu-pravobraniteljice-za-djecu-za-2024-godinu/.