Minister Habijan calls for greater protection of children in the digital environment

Minister of Justice, Public Administration and Digital Transformation Damir Habijan spoke at the Informal Conference of Ministers on the 15th Anniversary of the Lanzarote Convention, which took place in Valletta, Malta, on 30 June and 1 July 2025 

The Council of Europe Convention on the Protection of Children Against Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse (Lanzarote Convention) was opened for signature in Lanzarote on 25 October 2007 and entered into force on 1 July 2010. Its signatories include all member states of the Council of Europe, and Croatia signed it on 25 October 2007. 

Minister Habijan pointed out that rise of new communication technologies and digital transformation have provided perpetrators with increasingly easier access to children, which is why it is important to continuously improve legislative framework to adequately respond to the dangers in the digital environment. 

'We are well aware of the new threats to the safety of children from the ongoing development of artificial intelligence applications capable of creating realistic images to exponential growth of so-called ‘deep-fake’ images and videos depicting child sexual abuse', said Minister Habijan, noting that the the project 'Implementing the Barnahus model in Croatia' is currently being implemented in Croatia.  

It is a joint project of the European Union and the Council of Europe, which aims to support the Republic of Croatia in establishing the first Children's House at the national level, based on the Barnahus model, in which child victims of crime, notably sexual abuse and exploitation, will be treated in accordance with international guidelines and promising European practice.

In recent years, internet-related issues have also been the subject of ongoing discussions in the Lanzarote Committee, including cyberviolence, data protection issues, online child grooming, cybercrime and child sexual abuse material. 

The Committee was set up to effectively monitor the implementation of the Convention and is composed of representatives of the 48 Parties to the Convention (members) as well as participants and observers who meet regularly in plenary sessions.

A member of the Lanzarote Committee representing Croatia is Ms Marlena Jukić, Head of the Substantive Criminal and Misdemeanour Law Division within the Criminal Law Directorate of the Ministry of Justice, Public Administration and Digital Transformation.

The Council of Europe Strategy for the Rights of the Child includes a focus on children’s rights in the digital environment, reinforced by the Recommendation of the Committee of Ministers to member states on Guidelines to respect, protect and fulfil the rights of the child in the digital environment, which also exists in a child-friendly version. 

The new Handbook for policy makers on the rights of the child in the digital environment complements these guidelines by supporting policy makers in concretely addressing online rights and child protection, helping to formulate national frameworks and policies, and providing interpretative and practical guidance to ensure that
children's online rights are respected. 

Participants in the Conference concluded that with proper education and concerted efforts by member states, internet service providers and educators, children can learn to successfully avoid risks and take advantage of the many opportunities offered by the internet.

The Convention is the Council of Europe's first instrument to establish various forms of child sexual abuse as criminal offences, including domestic or family abuse, using force, coercion or threats. 

The Convention requires the criminalisation of all sexual activities with children under the legal age for consent to engage in sexual activities, as well as the criminalisation of all sexual activities with children who have reached the legal age for sexual activities, but have entered into such relations through the abuse of trust by persons close to them, including persons entrusted with guardianship or parental care.


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