The programme aims to protect and promote human rights at local, state, international and regional levels, and to improve the work of state authorities and other bodies responsible for human rights protection, educate the public and ensure conditions for the speedier development of civil society.
The programme identifies 17 priority areas, including the protection and promotion of the rights of national minorities, the rights of active participants and victims of the 1991-1995 war of independence, the rights of prisoners and missing persons, expediting the return of people and property, the protection of families, children and young, elderly and disabled people.
It also guarantees gender equality, care for vulnerable social groups such as drug addicts, mental patients and persons infected with the HIV virus, prevention of human trafficking and corruption, protection of religious rights and freedoms, media freedoms, the right to healthy life and a clean environment, and the right to work.
The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Family Affairs, War Veterans and Intergenerational Solidarity, Jadranka Kosor, said that the government had undertaken to draw up an operational plan by May 1 for the implementation of the national programme.