State Secretary Šimundža-Nikolić attends conference “United Against Violence – Enough”

State Secretary Vedrana Šimundža-Nikolić participated in the panel discussion “The Role of Governments in Addressing Domestic and Gender-Based Violence”, which was part of the regional conference “United Against Violence - Enough” in Pristina, Kosovo.

Stressing that it is necessary for state institutions to approach the problem of violence systematically and with measures that respond to the needs of society, State Secretary Šimundža-Nikolić said that domestic violence and gender-based violence are not and cannot be a private problem or a family matter because the consequences are devastating not only for the individual or society, but also for the rule of law.

Therefore, the Ministry of Justice and Public Administration approaches this issue in two ways: by ensuring an adequate and strict legislative framework for the prosecution of violence and by forming of a strong support system for the victims and witnesses of violence.

Safety as a human right, but also an obligation of the state

In combating domestic violence and gender-based violence, Croatia takes a multidisciplinary approach involving several authorities: Government of the Republic of Croatia i.e. Ministry of Justice and Public Administration, Ministry of Labour, Pension System, Family and Social Policy, Ministry of the Interior, Government Office for Gender Equality and the Ombudsperson for Gender Equality as an independent body for combating discrimination in the field of gender equality.

“Judicial bodies - the State Attorney’s Office of the Republic of Croatia and the courts - also play an important role in preventing and sanctioning domestic violence and gender-based violence”, added the State Secretary.

The fourth and most comprehensive amendments to the legislative framework for combating violence against women and domestic violence are currently underway, including amendments to the Criminal Procedure Act, the Criminal Code, the Protection from Domestic Violence Act and the Courts Act, as well as a redefinition of the Ordinance on Individual Assessment of Victims.

“We are introducing femicide into the Criminal Code as a qualified criminal offence for which a long-term prison sentence of 40 years can be imposed, we are tightening the sentences for the criminal offence of rape and fines for domestic violence misdemeanours”, State Secretary Šimundža-Nikolić explained.

Through amendments to the Criminal Procedure Act, the rights of victims are being further strengthened. Victims will have access to support services from the moment the crime is committed and for as long as they feel the need. They will be granted the right to a confidential person of their choice from the moment of filing the report to the conclusion of criminal proceedings as well as the right to appeal against the decision on imposing, extending or lifting precautionary measures, the violation of which will be punishable by pre-trial detention.

“Conscious of the fact that legislative amendments are not sufficient if they are not adequately applied, we have also proposed amendments of the Courts Act to the Croatian Parliament, to introduce specialisation of judges and civil servants working on domestic violence cases, all this with the aim of placing the focus of the judicial system on the victim rather than the perpetrator”, State Secretary Šimundža-Nikolić concluded. 

The topic of domestic violence and gender-based violence is extremely important for all societies in the region, so the two-day conference brought together high-level state officials, including the justice ministers of Kosovo, Albania and North Macedonia, and the opening address was delivered by Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo Albin Kurti.